klBMRY OF CONGRESS. 

- ^ 

^ FORCE COLLECTION.] 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



OF EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE 

AOOBPTANOB, AND HUSSGNATSO 

or THE 

RECTORSHIP OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, 

_ 

1/ U'^/ 1 - . 



1 



TO THE 



My dear friends, 

By a most singular concurrence of events you 
have been deprived of a Pastor whom you always 
professed to love, and he of a flock to whom he was 
most tenderly attached; while you have been kept in 
ignorance of the alleged causes of controversy which 
have led to this result, and have been allowed no 
publick opportunity of expressing your sentiments or 
your wishes. — Several judicious persons have there- 
fore advised me to lay before the Christian publick, a 
plain statement of the facts relative to my acceptance 
and resignation of my late Rectorship. They have 
urged this on account of the misrepresentations which 
have constantly been, and are still made, with a view 
to alienate from me your affections and the confidence 
and respect of the community. They have urged it 
on the principle, not of recrimination, but of self- 
defence; and on this principle alone, have I so far 
complied with their wishes, as to print, and privately 
distribute the following pages. — I have always been 
averse from publishing to the world, either your 
wrongs or mine. No currency therefore should be 



4 



given to this pamphlet, beyond the bounds of our 
own Church.— The injuries we receive, afford to the 
Christian neither occasion nor excuse for inflicting 
injuries upon others; excepting so far as may be the 
unavoidable result of our own defence.— On this last 
occasion of addressing you, let me then claim the 
privilege of adding one request; which is, that you 
will subdue every feeling of anger towards those who 
have occasioned our separation, and will continue to 
worship in St. PauPs Church.— You will recollect 
that it is the office of a Minister of Christ, and not 
his person which should bring you into the fold and 
attach you to his ministrations.— The office will 
doubtless be as well, and probably better sustained, 
than by him who now addresses you. In this respect 
he is willing to yield to the superiority of others; but 
as it regards affection for you, he can yield to none. 
Wherever it may please Divine Providence to cast his 
lot, he will always cherish the remembrance of his 
former flock; and desiring their prayers for him to the 
God of all consolation, as his will ever be offered for 
them, he takes this opportunity of bidding them all an 
affectionate farewell. 

Samuel Farmar Jarvis. 
Boston, November, 1825. 



In consequence of the affectionate wishes expressed to me in let- 
ters from the Bishop and several of the Clergy and laity of the 
Eastern Diocese, together with the representations and promises 
made to me by th* Chairman of the Committee for building St 
Paul's Church, I was induced to believe that a greater field of 
usefulness was opened to me in Boston, than in the parishes 
where I had been for nine years happily settled, or in the Theo- 
logical Seminary then in its infancy. — My engagements in the 
Seminary, and my salary as Professor, terminated on the first of 
April 1820. St. Paul's Church was not then finished, so that 1 
was obliged to remain from that time till towards the close of 
June, in the city of New York. 

On my arrival in Boston, I found myself disappointed in almost 
every particular, in which I had trusted to the Chairman's repre- 
sentations. — Instead of any eagerness among the principal inhabi- 
tants of Boston to buy pews, few were sold. Instead of being 
highly popular, the new Church was regarded with an eye of 
jealousy, while the injudicious use of tickets of admission to the 
consecration, made it a subject of ridicule and sarcasm. Instead 
of a disposition in many of the Congregational denomination to 
take refuge in the Epit^copal Church, it was manifest that an 
opposition had been secretly organized, and the opening of the 
new Church for publick worship, was the signal to strike the first 
blow. A Letter from a Congregationalist to his friend on the sub- 
ject of joining the new Episcopalian Church, was published the 
first Monday after the consecration; and soon after The Letters on 
the Episcopal Church, printed at Baltimore, but evidently intend- 
ed for the meridian of Boston, were widely and industriously 
circulated. 

With a subscription of g50,000, of which less than g40,000 
were realized, a Church had been built which cost g 100,000; so 
that at the outset, it was under a debt, as appears from the Re- 
port made to the Subscribers, of ^69,807 31. When the Chair- 
man first conferred with me, he stated that the Building Commit- 
tee were desirous that I should determine upon the plan. On this 
assurance, I was induced to express my wishes that the architec- 
ture should be Gothick. I soon found, however, that he had re- 
solved to have it Grecian. I opposed this, as being not so suit- 
able for Churches, and particularly unsuitable in this case on 
account of the expense; and 1 told him explicitly that the Church 
might be built for at least g3O,0OO less, if Gothick, than it could 



6 



be, if built on a Grecian model. — My representations, however 
were, I found, useless, and as I knew that several very wealthy 
persons were members of the Building Committee, I did not 
think it advisable to press the subject. I must observe, however, 
that in no one instance, when I did express my wishes, or give an 
opinion, were they received with any attention. They were 
heard indeed by the Chairman with the utmost courtesy, but 
there were always obstacles which prevented a compliance with 
them. 

After my removal, finding myself in this unpleasant situation, 
having a parish to form, and almost every obstacle which could 
exist, placed in the way of its formation, I determined to decline 
all controversy, to go on steadily in the pertormance of pastoral 
duties, to make no attempts at proselytism, but to instruct in the 
principles of our Church, all who should think proper to attend 
upon my ministrations. With this view I preached a series of 
sermons upon the several points at which the author of the Let- 
ters on the Episcopal Church had thought proper to level his 
attacks. — In doing this, however, I avoided the appearance of 
polemical discussion, and simply maintained that the doctrines and 
practice of the Church were conformable to the Scriptures, with- 
out attacking those of other professing Christians. This course, 
I was happy to find, met with the general approbation of my 
parish, as appeared from the Ibllowing communication about a 
year after my settlement. 

To the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis, Rector of St. Paul's Church. 

Boston^ June 14, 1821. 
The Subscribers, your parishioners, have heard with ver_v great 
satisfaction and delight, the course of sermons you have delivered at 
St. Paul's during the past year. — As it is not possible to reap all the 
benefit they could wish, from the opportunity afforded by a single 
hearing, they are very desirous to have them in their possession, as 
constant sources of instruction. They therefore respectfully request, 
that you would select for publication such, and so manv, as' you may 
judge proper, for their improvement in the most essential Christian 
principles; and that you would allow them to be put to the press, as 
soon as your convenience will permit. 

Dudley A. Tyng, . F. Wilby, 

S. CoDMAN, E. Gerry, 

John'Amory, Nathaniel Tracy, 

John C. Warren, Ezra Davis, 

David Sears, S. C. Gray. 

G. Sullivan, (by a friend.) Adam W. Thaxter, 

D. Hinckley, Benjamin Greene, 

William Appleton, Alexander Parris, 

Enoch Hale, Jr. John Redman, 

George Odin, John Chandler-,- 

John Odin, Jonas Prouty,- 

WiLLiAM Shimmin, James C. Merrill. 

P. Parker, 

As there appeared to be but one opinion on the subject, it was not 
thought necessary to obtain more signatures. 



7 



The course thus commended, was pursued by me without vari- 
ation from that time till the present year; and the result was the 
steady.increase of the parish, both in numbers and attention to re- 
ligious duties. At the end of the first year the communicants had 
increased from 26 to 90, and in the subsequent years the numbers 
added were, during th^ first 38, the second 32, the third 45, and 
the fourth 35. These comparative numbers will best ajipear by 
the table in the margin;* and it will be seen from them that the 
Church, as regarded its spiritual condition, was continually be- 
coming more and more prosperous. During five years the num- 
ber admitted as regular and stated communicants was 239; of 
these 48 had removed or died; leaving at the time when the 
Senior Warden created the difficulties, 191. Within five years, 
therefore, the number of communicants had become nearly equal 
to those in the two old and long established Churches;t while the 
intrinsic condition of the Church may be judged of by the fact 
that nearly one half of its adult members were communicants. 
The proofs which I continually received that my ministry was 
blessed by Him who alone can give the increase, were peculiar- 
ly encouraging. The serious deportment of my congregation, 
their solemn and devout attention to the service, and their 
animated and fervent responses, were the subject of general re- 
mark, and were noticed and spoken of by strangers, both clergy- 
men and pious laymen, who have occasionally been present at 
our worship. 

From the time of my coming to Boston, 1 had in view the 
establishment of a Sunday School, in which all the children of 
my parish, of every rank and age, might be instructed in the first 
prmciples of our holy religion. My design was to arrano-e them 
m classes according to their ages, from five to fifteen, and^to ^ive 
them a regular series of lessons, leading them gradually to an 
mtimate knowledge of the Bible, exhibiting to them the Scripture 
proofs of our doctrine, discipline, and worship; making them to 
understand the nature of the Christian Church, as a spiritual 
society, distmguished by its government, unity, order, and sanctity 
eachmg them the value of its ministry and sacraments; and thus 
leadmgthem at a proper age to receive confirmation, and ap- 
proach the altar. The want of elementary books delayed the 
execution of this plan, but it was at length commenced in th- 





* Parochial Report of St. Paul's Church from 1821 to 1825. 

1 .Tlinf 189.1. 1 TllTIO 1Q~Oei 1 T, lo.-^r. . ■: 




Families. 

Baptisms. 

Marriages. 

Deaths. 

Confirmed. 

Communicants. 


80 

21 
2 

1 

33 
90 


111 

22 
6 
6 
21 , 
115 


120 

29 
2 
12 
18 
137 


1 June 1824. 

123 
38 
8 
7 
50 
166 


1 June 1825. 

125 

42 
6 

22 

25 
191 


1 Total. 

152 
24 
49 

147 



^.S^^l^Zt^,^'^''''' ^'^"-'^es, state the number of commun. 



8 



winter of 1822. The first Sunday in October was fixed upon for 
its reg-ular and annual beginning; and the day of the consecration 
of the Church, the 30th of June, for its termination, and anniver- 
sary. On that day we assembled for public worship, in which 
the children led the responses; a full Report of the state of the 
school was made by the Rector; prizes were distributed to the 
children for their general proficiency, good behaviour, and 
knowledge of the Bible; and they were exhorted in an address 
from the altar, suited to their years, to go on in the knowledge of 
Christ, and the practice of Christian virtue. Our school began 
with nearly seventy, and increased from year to year till it 
amounted to more than a hundred. It was truly delightful to see 
the animation with which the duties of the Sunday School were 
performed. The children were in general eager for the Sabbath 
to arrive. No coercion was used, and none was necessary. — 
Their smiling, happy faces, as they crowded around me to receive 
their tickets for verses of the Bible committed to memory, show- 
ed that their hearts were engaged in the employment.— It was a 
father among his spiritual children. — It was a shepherd surround- 
ed by the lambs of his flock. — The sensibiUty will be pardoned, if 
I look back with some regret and fondness upon the beautiful 
fragments which now float upon my memory. 

It is painful to me .to speak so much of myself or of my own 
labours, but a statement of facts with regard to the condition of a 
parish which had been formed by these labours, could not have 
been made without such personalities. In the subsequent pages, I 
shall endeavour to give the history of events, as much as possible, 
by official documents, interspersing only such statements of con- 
versations, and explanatory remarks as may appear necessary for 
their elucidation. 

Boston^ March 12, 1820„ 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's Church, held the last 
evening, we were deputed to transmit to you the vote of the Proprie- 
tors, hereto annexed. We have a very high satisfaction in being thus 
made the organ of the Corporation, in soliciting your acceptance of the 
Rectorship of our new Church. It was with this object in view that it 
orginated, and the anticipation of this, has given alacrity and speed to 
its construction. We are authorized to expect its completion in the 
course of the month of June next, and shall immediately make applica- 
tion to our Diocesan for its consecration. It is desirable that your in- 
stitution should be effected at the same time. 

On the subject of the salary that shall be permanently attached to 
your office, it is not in our power at present to speak confidentl;^. 
From the reference in the annexed vote to Dr. Gardiner's salary, it 
may fairly be presumed that the Corporation contemplate that, as the 
measure of yours. Dr. G's. permanent salary, as fixed by agreement 
with him when he became Rector of Trinity Church, is $2,000. For 
some years past, there has been annually granted him an additional 
^500, on account of the dearness of articles of common necessity. Our 
Congregation is yet in a good measure to be formed; and parochial 
taxes are, in this town, by an universal practice, assessed on such pews 



9 



as are owned by individuals. While we indulge the most animating 
hopes that our pews will find a veadv sale, and be soon tilled, it may 
be some months after the Church shall be opened, before they will all 
be disposed of. Until such, or nearly such, shall be the state of things, 
it may perhaps be thought expedient to make the salary son^ewhat 
less than that which shall be fixed as the permanent one. We can 
say in general, that in no place is the ordinance, "that they who 
preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel,*' more strictly adhered 
to than in this town; and we are confident that your future parishion- 
ers will not, in this respect, be behind their fellow-citizens. 

Permit us to suggest that it would be very gratifying to your friends 
here, that you should in the mean time make a visit to Boston, if con- 
sistent with other calls upon you. It would afford you an opportunity 
of making a personal acquaintance with many of those who expect to 
attend on your ministrations, and of making arrangements for the con- 
venient and agreeable establishment of your family. 
, We are, Rev. and Dear Sir, with sentiments of the highest personal 
esteem and regard, very respecthilly your most obedient servants, 

Dudley A. Tyng, ? Wardens of St. 

George Sullivan. 3 i^cw/'* Church, 

Rev. Dr. Jarvis^ JS''e-iv-York. 

At the first meeting of "the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church in Bos- 
ton," held in Boston, Feb. 28, 1820. 

Vottd, That, in conformity with the original purpose of erecting St. 
Paul's Church and forming this Society, the Wardens and Vestry be, 
and they hereby are, fully empowered to invite the Rev. Samuel F. 
Jarvis, t). D. of New-York, to become the Rector of St. Paul's Church; 
and to negotiate, and definitively adjust v ith him, the terms of his set- 
tlement; and in behalt of this Society to make and execute such agree- 
ment with him as they may deem expedient, having reference, in re- 
spect to the amount of salary, to that allowed to the Rev. Dr. Gardiner. 
True copy of the Record, 

Attest, Henry Codman, Clerk of the Corjioratio'n. 

In the conversations already alluded to, the Chairman of the 
Building Committee had stated to me, that it was their intentioo 
to purchase the ground between the church and the corner of 
Winter Street, as the scite of a parsonage which they designed to 
build of the same materials as those of the church; and so partic- 
ular was he in these statements as even to name the dimensions 
of the building, and its interior arrangements. With expectations 
thus created, I returned the following answer: 

J\'eiv York, March 17, 1820. 

GJ-NTLEMEN, 

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
the 12th inst., transmitting to me the vote of the Corporation of 
St. Paul's Church, Boston, by which the Wardens and Vestry _ were 
empow ered to invite me to become the Rector; and I lose no time in 
announcing to you my acceptance of that office. It gives me pecuhar 
pleasure to do this before any thing can be confidently said "on the 
subject of the salary that shall be permanently attached to it," since 
it enables me to express more fully the confidence with which I rely 
upon the kindness of my future parishioners. — I know too well the 
character of the inhabitants of Boston, as it regards the delicate atten- 

2 



10 



tions paid to the support and comfort of their Clergy, to have anv 
tears on the subject of maintenance; and I beg you to accept your- 
selves, and to express to the Vestry and the Proprietors, the assur- 
ances of that alFectionate regard which, I trust, will increase with 
increasmg years, and survive our frail mortality. 

As soon as I can disengage myself from the duties of the Theological 
berainary, which will 1 hope be early in April, I intend, with divine 
permission, to visit Boston, when I shall be able to express more fully 
the great esteem and respect with which I am Gentlemen, Your 
most obedient and most faithful servant, Samuel F. Jarvis. 

To Dudley A. Tyng and George Sullivan^ Esqs. 
Wardeyis of St. Paul's Church, Boston. 

Soon after my arrival in Boston, having been without salary 
for three months, and having paid all the expences of my re- 
moval, I found myself obliged to apply to the Wardens for money, 
and subsequently to borrow a further sum upon their security.—' 
Still not a word was said by me upon the amount of salary I was 
to receive, nor the date of its commencement. Nor did I intimate 
any expectation that they would pay the expences of my re- 
moval. — As they knew the fact that my salary had ceased in^New 
York the first of April, and I had made no conditions of accept- 
ance, I thought it the most proper and delicate course to trust for 
remuneration to their own sense of propriety, and on my part to 
preserve an entire silence. This silence continued till I receiv- 
ed the following letter: 

,^ ^ Boston, March 26th, 1821. 

Dear Sir, 

I HAVE the honour to communicate to you the following vote 
passed at the meeting of the Vestry of St Paul's Church in Boston, on 
the htth, and during your absence. 
With the highest respect, your most obedient servant, 

r> o 1^ r . Henry Codman. 

Rev. S. F. Jarvis, D. D. 

At a meeting of the Vestry of St, Paul's Church in Boston, held 
March 5, 1821. 

V oted. In pursuance of the authority delegated to the Vestry by the 
Corporation at their first meeting, that the salary of the Rev. Dr. Jar- 
vis be fixed at the rate of twenty-five hundred dollars per annum to 
commence on the 30th day of June last, and to continue while he shall 
officiate as Rector of St. Paul's Church in Boston: and that the Clerk 
communicate to him this vote, and request his acceptance thereof. 

Attest, H. CoDMAN, Clerk of the Frofirietors and Vestry. 

To which I returned this answer: 



_^ ^ Beacon Street, ^pril 

Dear Sir, 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note 
of the 26th of March, communicating a copy of the vote passed by 
the Vestry of St. Paul's Church relative to the amount of my salarv. 



II 



on the 5th of March; and I beg you to make known to them my accept- 
ance thereof. 

I am, with the greatest respect, Dear Sir, your obedient, faithful 
servant, Samuel F. Jarvis, Rector gJ' 8t. Paul's Church. 

H, Codman^ Esq. Clerk of Proprietors 
and Vestry, St. Paul's Church. 

On Easter Monday, April 23, 1821, while I was waitinc^ in the 
Vestry Room for a Proprietors- meeting, in company with 
Edward A. Newton, Esq., he spoke in somewhat desponding 
terms of the affairs of the Church. This induced me to say to 
him that I should feel disposed, if tha Church was in any diffi- 
culty, to rehnquish whatever might be due to me at that time; 
and I requested him to ask Mr> Tyng, the Senior Warden, to 
give me a few minutes conversation. I then authorized Mr, 
Tyng to state to the Proprietors after I should retire from the 
chair, which it was my practice to do whenever the temporal 
concerns of the Church were discussed, that I would not only re- 
linquish whatever sum was then due, but also for the ensuing 
year gaOO of my salary. This offer from me induced the Pro- 
prietors to pass the vote of thanks communicated to me in the 
following letter from the Wardens. 



Boston, Jpril 23, lS2i. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

The Senior Warden this day communicated to the Proprietors 
of St. Paul's Church, your offer to relinquish the balance of the salary 
due to you as Rector, to this day; and also to accept of $2,000, as your 
salary for the current year. 

We are directed by the Proprietors, to present vou their sincere 
thanks for this very generous act; which cannot fail to make a deeo 
and lasting impression upon their minds. — Your unwearied exertions to 
promote their intellectual, moral, and religious improvement, had al- 
ready won their affections; and this proof of }'our sympathy in the pre- 
sent embarrassed state of their financial concerns, adds another strong: 
claim to their respect and attachment. 

Permit us also to express our personal sensibilities on this occasion^ 
and to avail ourselves of the opporcunitv it offers, of renewing the 
assurances of the unfeigned attachment and affectionate respect, with 
which we are, Rev. and Dear Sir, your most obliged friends and ser- 
vants, Dudley A. Tyxg, } rir ^ /- o „ ^, 

Stephen Cod^iax, \ ^^^^^'^ns oj St. Paul's Church. 

Rev. Dr. Jarvis, 



On the 6th of I\ovember of that year, Mr. Tyng, being on the 
eve of removal to Newburyport, sent me his resignation of the 
office of Senior Warden.— From this period 1 date all my sorrows. 
The removal of so sound a Churchman, and so firm a friend, left 
me unsupported in the hazardous and difficult situation of forming 
a new parish composed of persons, the greater part of whom 
were confessedly unacquainted with the rights and duties of an 
Episcopal Clergyman. 



12 



Mr, Stephen Codman being- the Junior Warden, it was proper 
for me to nominate him, the en&;uing Easter, to the office of Senior 
Warden. But there was not a single individual among the Pro- 
prietors, who could be prevailed upon to accept the office which 
he thus vacated. Hence for two years, Mr. Codman was the only 
person to whom I could officially have recourse for consultation 
and advice. 

The year for which 1 had relinquished g500 of my salary, 
ended at Easter 1822.* Sometime towards the close of November 
or the beginning of December io that year, as 1 was sittmg in 
my study in the evening, the Chairman of the B. C. and another 
of the Vestry called upon me, as a Committee from the Proprie- 
tors. The conversation was I think opened by the latter. He 
observed that an attempt was making, or about to be made, to ex- 
tinguish at once ail the debts of St: Paul's Church; there being 
no other way of inducing persons to buy pews, since no one would 
buy while the Church was in debt, because no one would come 



into a concern without iirst 



what respoDsibiiities would 



be thereby assumed. For this purpose a number of the gentle- 
men who were Proprietors had agreed to submit to pecuniary 
sacrifices, and it would be absolutely necessary for me to submit 
to sacrifices on my part^. — This statement the Chairman of the 
B. C. confirmed. — I replied to this effect: Gentlemen, I think 1 
have already made a considerable sacrifice, having given up 
nearly ^200 the first year, and <J5Q0 of my salary to las't Easter. 
This they admitted, but said that it would be necessary for me 
to surrender an annual sum from my salary for some time — 
they hoped it would not be very long, — that I would be no 
loser in the end, since 1 might rely upon the honourable inten- 
tions of the Proprietors, and that ultimately it would be all 



* Rev 



. S, F. Jarvis in Jlccount Current with Wardens of St. PauVs Church, 

Cr. 



1820. 
.Tuly. 
Nov. 18. 
Dec. 28. 

1821. 
March 1. 
Apiil 2. 



August 3. 
Oct. 4. 



Dec. 1. 

1822. 
Jan. 2. 
April 6. 



To cash of W. Appleton, 
To do. ofE. Gerry, 
To do. ' ' 

To do. ' ' 
To do. * ' 



To balance of this account 
relinquished, 



To cashof E.Gerrv, 

To do. ' ' 

To paid your' order, favor 

W. H. Prentiss, 
To cash of E. Gerry, 

To do. ' ' 
To do. ' ' 



To do. March 1, of E. Gerry 



I j 1821. 
^f5,000 00,April22. 
300 OOj 
500 00 

100^00 
500:00 



1,900 1 00 

183 33 

^2,083j33 

5r 0:00 
500! 00 

I 

78123 
200 00 

30o'oO 
121 77 



1,700 


00 


300 


00 


^2,000 


00 



1822. 
Easter. 



By 10 months salaiy 
from June 1820 to 
April 1821, 



By one year's salary due 

at this time, 
Less relinquished, 



2,083 33 



^2,083 33 



j8;2,50O:O0 
50000 

;g2,000 00 



13 



refunded with interest * I observed that I did not think it just or 
proper to call upon me to give up any portion of my salary, as it 
was the means by which 1 hved, and that the sum thus surrender- 
ed, though it would subject me to serious inconvenience would 
not be felt bv the wealthy gentlemen of my parish it c^ivided 
among them.-To this it was replied, that the gentlemen had 
been called upon so often for subscriptions for the Church that 
they were tired of giving. It was in vain therefore to ask any 
more from them; and unless measures were taken to reduce the 
expences of the Church within its income, it would be rumed. 

1 said, -I cannot in justice to myself, and to my family, consent 
to give up as much as 1 did last year.-l am willing however to 
bear mv share like any other gentleman, in paymg the debts ot 
the Church. But I am not prepared to mention any particular 
sum. I confide in the liberality of my parishioners, and will leave 
it to them to determine how much I, as an mdmdual, ougtit to 
o-ive." The Chairman of the B. C. observed, that "such was un- 
doubtedly the best way, and that if I left it to their generosity o 
decide as to the amount, they would be disposed to treat me with 
much greater Uberality; for such was the character of Bostomans.' 
Well then gentlemen, I rephed, I will write a letter in general 
terms, leaving it to them to decide, how much 1 ought to give — 
'^That will be the best way," said the Chairman; and then smiling 
he observed, "You have consented much more readily than we 
expected.''— After this they took their leave; and I think it was 
the next day, I am sure it was not many days after, I wrote the 
followiDg letter: 

Boston, Thursday, Dec. 5, 1822. 

Dear Sm^^^ understood that an effort is about to be made by some 
of the members of my parish at once to_ extinguish the deb.s ot the 
Church, Ifeel disposed to bear ray share mthe sacrifice of ^vlych the} 
have so nobly and generously set the example; I shall theiTf ore con- 
sent to such a temporary reduction of my salap^ as thev may thi^^^^ 
necessary to accomplish their object. My respected and belo^ ed pai - 
ishioners %vm, I trust, do me the justice to believe that I seek not t/mrs 
but them; and that it will be always a source of pain to me to think 
that I am in any degree burihensome to them. At the same time 1 
Avish it to be underltood that my family expenses so far exceed the 
amount of my salary as to consume the whole income of P.^ti iiiu^^ 
nial property. If therefore there be a necessity of g^^^^ly dimi^n^hmg 
mv income from the Church, or of contmumg even a small ^^"imution 
for some time, it will be necessary for me to make a correspondent 
change in the arrangements of my household. <.v,« 

Asturing you, of my continual P^'^y^^'s for the prosper! y o^^ 
Church, to Him without whose support we build and labour m vam, 1 
remain, dear Sir, very affectionately and ^^^thfullyyours^^ ^ Jarvis. 

To Stephen Codman, Esq. Senior Warden of St. Paul's Church. 

• So far were these promises from being sanctioned by any subsequent act of t^e Pi^pnetors, 
Uiat even the expression of a hope that they should make good ^f/'^f^'^Af 
stricken out of a Report, on the |round that they would not allow me to ha>e aa> expectations 
of this nature. See page 19. 



14 



Ihis letter was laid before the Proprietors on the 16th of 
l)ecember At the opening of that meeting I presided as usual; 
but here being no other business than that which related to the 
fiscal concerns of the Church, I stated that as my reason forretir- 
ing and requested the Warden to take the chair. Not a word 
had been said to me of the preparations for that meeting, and 
ittle did I imagme the use that was to be made of my letter. 
It appears froni the records that Mr. George Sullivan stated a 
plan which had been devised '4br the extinguishment of debts and 
diminution of expenses;" and then presented eleven votes which 
were ail unanimously passed. The object of these votes was to 
raise money to pay the debts of the Church by curtailing its in- 
come.* W hen these votes had been passed, the Warden laid be- 
ore the Proprietors, my letter of Dec. 5th; but it appears on 
the Records as if there had been no previous application on their 
part.--A vote of thanks was passed, and communicated to me by 
their Clerk as foliows: 

Rev. AND DEAR Sir, Bomn, Dec, M A^n. 

«f ^1, i ^"^^-^ """^^ pleasure in transmitting to you the enclosed vote 
of the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church in Boston, passerat ret lfte 

tTe Surl Z\ ^-"-dual respec? and esteem have 

xne nonour to be, your most obedient servant, 

To Rev. Dr. Samuel F, Jarvis, Q^oi^ma^. 
De^^ 6,";il2 Proprietors of St. Paul's Church in Boston, held 

the^Ref R^rfo/^^K-" Proprietors be presented to 

the verv luf. 1 ^A^'^ Church, our respected and beloved Pastor, for 
mpJ f^7 • generous manner in which he has freely offered to 

man festin^i^^-'? Corporation by his letter of the 5th inst.; 

t^rresnerf .nJr\^'^ ±or their best interests that commands 

xne respect and gratitude of his parishioners. 

Attest, H. CoDMAN, Clerk of the Proprietors^ 
St. Paul's Church in Boston. 

I heard no more relating to this subject for nearly a year. In 
l\ov 18:^3, the Committee appointed by the General Convention 
on the revision of the Metre Psalms and Hymns met in Phila- 
dejplira; and I went thither to attend the meeting.— During mv 
absence on the 6th of that month, a meeting of the Proprietois 
was heUl, at which the Warden, six Vestrymen, and two other 
Proprietors were present. The Committee of Finance, consisting 
of the Warden and Messrs. David Sears and William Appleton! 
made a Report recommending among other subjects that the 
wardens and Vestry should be directed to inform the Rector that 



^yeJlT!!^T'^'''''l P^'*! ^yP' S. Esq. six pews given by him to "the Sears' fund " 

»Q onn ?f r^**''^^'"™ "^^T- T''"'^ P^'"» ^^^^^ ^^^^ «187 00 per annum. About 
§r9,000 more I believe were raised in the same manner f « « ^uuui. 



15 



the Proprietors found themselves '•^unable io fix his salary at a 
higher sum than fifteen hundred dollars per annamy — So much of 
this Report as relates to the subject is here suhjoined. 

Extract from the Records of the proceedings of the Proprietors, at 
their meeting held Mov. 6, 182.*. 

"The Committee would further report, that after a careful examina- 
tion of the present available means ot the Proprietors, they cannot in- 
dulge the expectation that with the most vigilant management of the 
property of the Church, the income will exceed the average suUi of 
$2,000 per annum for the next ten years, except such increase as may 
arise from the taxes on pews of the Building Committee, when said 
pews shall be sold by them, and that, for the unavoidoble current ex- 
penses the sum of ^500 will be at least required. It is therefore with 
unfeigned regret that they are necessitated to make known to the 
Proprietors, that the balance is all that they will have it in their pov^'er 
to appropriate for the salary of their Rev. Rector. Your Committee 
would therefore with submission suggest the propriety of directing the 
Wardens and Vestry to address to the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, a respectful let- 
ter, stating to him the situation of the Church on its emersion from its 
pecuniary difficulties, and their deep mortification at a rt suit so differ- 
ent from what they had contemplated, acknowledging that the san- 
guine hopes they had at first indulged have not been realized, and that 
they find themselves unable to fix his salary at a higher sum than 
$1,500 per annum. Your Committee would further suggest the pro- 
priety of authorizing the Wardens and Vestry to present to the Rev. 
Rector, by an annual vote, at the end of each ensuing year, any balance 
they may have on hand at the time, not otherwise appropriated. 

Whereupon it was voted to accejjt that part of the Report which re- 
lates to the compensation of the Rev. Rector, and that the Vv ardens and 
Vestry forthwith address to him in behalf of the Proprietors a respect- 
ful letter in conformity thereto, and also voted, that the Wardens and 
Vestry be instructed to report to the Proprietors at their next annual 
meeting, on the whole subject of the Report of the Finance Committee, 
in order that in conformity to said Report, the salary of the Rev. Rec- 
tor may then be permanently established by the Proprietors. 

A true extract from the Record. 

Attest, S. CoDMAN, Senior Warden. 

The first intimation of this was accidentally given to me by the 
Treasurer of the Church. While conversiiig on other business, 
he spoke of the musick, complained of its being very expensive, 
and said that we had better do entirely without it. Upon my ob- 
jecting to this, Mr. G. by way of enforcing his argument, replied, 
"Well, but what we pay for musick will come out of your salary. 
We have but g2,000 income, and out of tbat we must pay for 
musick, for fuel, and the services of the Sexton; and thatrwill 
leave only ^1,500 for you." ''Indeed, Sir," I rephed, '4 was not 
aware of this. Then the amount is, that in addition to the labours 
which I am obliged to undergo in the formation of a parish, \ am 
to pay all the expenses of the Church out of my own salary!" 

I had for some time perceived signs of discontent in several of 
the gentlemen who were most largely interested in the pecuniary 
concerns of the Church, I was asked whether I could not shorten 



16 



the iessons or the reading psalms — or omit the Litany. — My 
absence in May and October 182 J on the business of the Theo- 
logical Seminary, and in May and November 1823 on that of the 
General Convention, were complained of as interfering with my 
duties to my own parish. It was intimated that persons came to 
Church to see how they liked the minister, that my absence dis- 
appointed them, and thus that opportunities of selling pews were 
lost. Even the interest which 1 took in the smail country parishes 
in Massachusetts gave offence. — It was considered as my duty to 
devote myself exclusively to St. Paul's, — I have before me a let- 
ter from one of the most wealthy of the Proprietors, which clear- 
ly indicates the existence of this jealousy. 

At a Vestry meeting Dec. 2, 1823, the records of the Proprie- 
tors were upon the table, and before a quorum had assembled, 
the gentleman at whose house the meeting was held, mentioned 
the Report of Nov. 6, and pointed it out to me. 1 cast my eye 
hastily over it, and observed that I hoped I should never be call- 
ed upon to approve of these proceedings, or to make any official 
communication on the subject. 

At Easter, however, it became necessary by the terms of the 
Report that it should be communicated to me; in consequence of 
which, it was inclosed in the following letter: 

Boston, March 31, 1824. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

The Subscribers, the Warden and Vestrymen cf St. Paul's 
Church in Boston, were appointed, at a meeting of the Proprietors, 
held on the 6th of Nov. last, a Committee to communicate to you the 
result of that meeting, and respectfully to address you on the subject 
of your letter of the 5th of Dec. 1822, which the Proprietors had, until 
then, found themselves unable to reply to distinctly, otherwise than by 
signifying to you their sense of its disinterested spirit. 

This Committee had proceeded to frame a communication to you 
accordingly, v/hen they were induced to defer it until some moment 
more convenient to yourself; and in the mean time the Books, contain- 
ing the records of the Proprietors and the Vestry, were laid before you. 

The near approach, however, of the annual meeting, when it will be 
necessary to report some result to the Proprietors, seems to us to render 
it a duty, which we can no longer defer, to make a statement to you of 
the situation of the finances and views of the Proprietors; and we there- 
fore enclose herewith a copy of part of the Report made at the meet- 
ing of the 6th of Nov. last, which Report was accepted. 

The pecuniary embarrassments under which the Church has 
laboured from its commencement have not been concealed, and the 
slow augmentation of the number of those who contribute to its supfiort 
has been apparent; but while any hopes remained of a more favoura- 
ble result of their affairs the Proprietors were reluctant to entertain 
any idea of the necessity of a diminution of the salary, which, in a 
moment of sanguine anticipation, they were induced'(they now fear 
imprudently) to offer you, notwithstanding your voluntary consent to 
a reduction, deserving their warmest acknowledgments, authorized 
them to do so. 

The meeting alluded to resulted in the extinguishment of their 
heavy debt; but, in the effort to accomplish this, sacrifices became 



17 



necessary, of such a nature as to render them unable, at that time, to 
appropriate more than $1,500 per annum, from the first of January 
1823, for your salary; leaving the residue of their income for the ordi- 
nary expenses of public worship, but with the hope of having it iu 
their power to offer to your acceptance, from time to time, such fur- 
ther sum as an economical expenditure for those purposes might 
enable them to save. 

It gives us pleasure here to state that a sum of about ^300 per 
annum for six years from the first of January last, having since that 
time been voluntarily provided and devoted to the payment of the 
expenses of musick, the residue at the disposition of the proprietors 
will be proportionally increased; and by an estimate now made by us, 
under the operation of the votes and proceedings of the proprietors of 
the 6th of November last, the future income from taxable pews at the 
present rates, will amount to ^2,324 77, commencing at Easter next, 
"which cannot be increased until the year 1833, when the pews belong- 
ing to the Building Committee will be taxable for the sum of $994 94 
more. 

I'he proprietors considered a reduction of your salary, however 
they might wish to avoid it, as a matter of absolute necessity to 
their existence as a society, brought about by an accumulation of debt 
considerably increased by their desire to fulfil all their engagements 
and by a complete disappointment of their hopes of selling pews and 
thereby rendering them taxable; they saw no measures but those 
they adopted, together with the strictest economy in future, which 
could authorize the hope to avoid incurring such another debt as would 
ultimately prove ruinous; an addition to the present rate of taxes was 
forbidden by considerations connected with the existence of the Soci- 
ety, and voluntary contributions to any considerable amount, could not, 
in their opinion be hoped for. 

The proprietors have a common interest with you; they feel every 
motive to persevere in their efforts, and they solicit from you such a 
co-operation as, they cannot relinquish the belief, will, with the aid of 
Divine Providence, enable this Church to overcome all obstacles and, 
yield to all concerned in it^ establishment a reward for exertions and 
sacrifices. 

Hoping to be able to communicate to the proprietors at their Easter 
meeting your assent to their arrangement, we have the honour to sub- 
scribe ourselves with sentiments of respect, Rev. Sir, your friends and 
most obedient servants, 

S. CODMAN, 

John Amory, I 

John Odin, | 

William Shimmin, j Warden and Vestrymen 

E.Gerry, )> of St. Paul's Church, 

George Odin, ! Boston, 
William Appleton, 

J. C. Warren, | 
Henry Codman, J 

Rev. Dr. Samuel F. Jarvls. 



Beacon Street, April 19, 1824. 

My Brethren, 

I acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 31st ultimo 
which you addressed to me in the name and on the behalf of the pro- 
prietors. I have witnessed with great sensibility "the pecuniary 
embarrassments under which the Church has laboured from its cojn- 

3 



18 



raencement,''' and the unwearied efforts and generous sacrifices of 
many of the proprietors to ensure its permanency and success. It is a 
good' work in which they have been engaged, and may God remember 
them for good! 

I have ever indulged the fullest confidence in the disposition of my 
parishioners to contribute, according to their power, to the temporal' 
wants of myself and my family. In this confidence 1 accepted their 
invitation to become theij- pastor. In this confidence I have ever 
lived, and in this confidence I hope to die. 

Be assured, ray beloved friends, that I seek not yours but you. It 
would be a most painful thought if I supposed that any member of my 
parish, were himself deprived of comforts for my sake. But you are 
perfectly aware that in order successfully to fulfil the solemn duties to 
you which flow from the engagements entered into at my ordination, 
and my institution, it is necessary to have my mind free from harassing 
anxiety respecting the means of support for myself and my dear 
family. It is necessary too, for the reputation of my parish and of my 
office' in the Church, that I maintain a certain degree of hospitality. 
These two objects form the limits of my wishes as to my temporal 
concerns. What reductions in my expences I can make consistent 
with those objects, I shall most willingly undertake; and further than 
this I am wholly satisfied that my beloved parishioners will never 
desire me to go. 

After these frank and sincere declarations, I may, I trust, be permit- 
ted to state my apprehensions, that with every exertion in my power 
to make, consistently with what is due to you and to myself, 1 shall not 
be able to reduce my anwaal expenses much below the sum of $2,500, 
At the same time, considering the present circumstances of my parish, 
I feel it my duty to submit to any deprivations which the spiritual 
welfare of the Church requires, I bless God for the increase of our 
numbers, and especially for the visible growth of piety and devotion, 
which the influence of his blessed Spirit has produced in the congre- 
gation. 

I beg through you, my beloved brethren, again to express my full 
reliance on the disposition of every member of my parish to render my 
residence among them as free from perplexities as is consistent with 
the Vvdll of my Heavenly Father, to whom I shall not cease to offer my 
ardent supplications for their temporal and eternal welfare. 

lam, with sentiments of unfeigned regard, your most affectionate 
friend and pastor, Samuel F. Jarvis. 

To the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Paul's Church. 

As Mr. Wilby was elected the Seoior Warden at this period, 
it becomes necessary, before I proceed in the narrative, to state 
the circumstances which led to his nomination. It has been 
already mentioned that for two years, during which Mr. Codmaii 
held that office, no one of the Proprietors could be found who 
was willing to serve as Junior Warden. Mr. Codman having 
declared his intention to resign at Easter, 1824, it became my 
duty to nominate a successor. I had in vain applied to my friend 
Mr. Amory, who from his age and great respectability was the 
first object of my choice. 1 had hoped that he and Mr. Shimmin 
would have consented to serve as Senior and Junior Wardens. — 
Being disappointed in this, I nest endeavoured to prevail on Mr. 
Shimmin to let me nominate him as the Senior Warden. Here, 
too,. 1 was disappointed.- In a word there was not a single person 



19 



in the Vestry who was a communicant and who would consent to 
serve, but Mr. Wilby. When I came to Boston, I found him a 
member of the Building Committee, a member of the Vestry, and 
the chairman of the committee on Music. I had a right there- 
fore to suppose that he enjoyed the confidence of the Proprietors. 
I had never heard that he had been the subject of church cen- 
sure among the Baptists. And though he was not exactly the 
person whom I should have wished to fill the office, it was with 
surprise I learned after the Easter meeting that my nomination of 
him had given dissatisfaction to several of the Proprietors.— But 
to return to my narrative: 

My letter of April t9th was not satisfactory to the Proprietors. 
Nothing short of an unqualified submission to their proceedings of 
Nov. 6^ 1823 would satisfy them. In the report which the Vestry 
had prepared to make to the proprietors on the third of May, a 
hope was expressed that they would be able at some future time 
tp make me a full indemnity Vor the sacrifices I was then called 
upon to suffer. It was only a hope, not a promise; it was an 
empty expression of good will, not a pledge. With this I had 
told them I should be satisfied; because it would have been at 
least an evidence of kind feelings; yet even this barren hope 
seemed to be too great a concession. It was stricken out as I 
understood, on the motion of one of the wealthiest of the propri- 
etors, because he would not suffer me to have even the slightest 
expectation, that arrearages of salary should ever be paid.* The 
Report was therefore recommitted to the Wardens and Vestry, 
with instructions to adjust definitively all accounts with the Rec- 
tor. This occasioned the following letter. 



Boston, May 5tk, 1824. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, , ^ , ^, , 

At the adjourned meeting of the Proprietors of the Church on 
Monday last the report of the Vestry on your letter of April 19th. 
and the subjects connected with it were recommitted to them, with 
instructions to make and report a definitive settlement, as it respects 
the amount of salary due to you up to Easter, as well as that in future 
to be paid to you, on the basis of the vote of the Proprietors, of the 6th 
Nov. last— the report and settlement to be subject to the ratification 
of the Proprietors. . j • r 

This course was taken by the Projjrietors with a sincere desire ot 
teraiinating this very painful subject in such a manner as to preclude 
any future misunderstanding, with a view to your tranquillity, and with 
the belief that a more definite and precise arrangement than that pre- 
sented by the Report before them would conduce to the welfare of the 
church. 

To accomplish the first of these objects your account up to toaster 
will be stated for the purpose of a settlement, by the late VVarden and 
the Treasurer; and your late generous declarations leave us no doubt 
of your willingness to make such a settlement as must be satisfactory. 



* See note at p. 19. 



20 



lhe\ ehtry have lateij understood in conversation with j'ou, that 
your reiuctance to give an unqualified assent to the Report and vote of 
iNov. uth arose in part, or whoily, from an idea that they might be 
construed as intended permanently to reduce your salary; and they 
take this occasion to assure you that there was no such intention on the 
W^'" .}^^ Proprietors, and to express their confidence that the 
Keport does not admit of that construction. 

With this assurance, and on a re-examination of the Records of the 
1 roprietors, we feel satisfied that all their acts relative to your salary, 
including as well the letter inviting you to become their Rector, as their 
laiest doings on the subject, appear consistent in manifesting a disposi- 
tion to devote to you as great a sum, not exceeding $2,500 per annum, 
as the income from pews sold will enable them to do. 

\ou are already aware that as fast as the pews of the Building Com- 
iiiittee are sold, they become taxable and add to the revenue of the 
L.hurch, and that m 1833 they will all be taxable, whether sold or not. ' 
1 he exigency on which the Report and vote of Nov. 6th were founded, 
cannot be expected therefore to continue beyond that period; and in 
the mean time the late exertion by which, as you have been informed, 
a sum o± about $300 per annum has been voluntarily raised for six 
years and devoted to the expenses of sacred musick, it was hoped would 
be viewed by you, as it was intended, as a pledge of the spirit that ex- 
isted towards you. , ° ^ 

It has appeared to the Proprietors that to accomplish a sale of pews 
IS, m every point of view, equally for your interest and theirs; and it 
seems equally manifest that no sale can" be expected if either the taxes 
are increased a debt incurred, or if the main item of expense, the 
salary oi the Rector, be uncertain and undefined. It is indeed of the 
utmost importance to be able to shew to persons disposed to join our 
society, that they incur no risk in doing so and that our means are 
equal to our expenses. 

Such were the viev/s of the Proprietors in accepting the Report of 
I^ov. 6th; ana with these before vou, the Vestry confidently ask you 
to reconsider your letter of April i9th and to gratify the expectations 
ot the Proprietors by a more explicit and unqualified assent to their 
wishes and arrangements. 

We could not indeed wish you to pledge yourself to any course 
which at a tuture time you may regret, but we feel much confidence 
m recommending to you the one now proposed. 

With great respect and attachment, we have the honour to sub- 
scribe ourselves in behalf of the Vestry of St. Paul's Church, your 
iriends and obedient servants. 

F. WiLBY, 7 , 

James C Merrill, k ^'^^rdens. 

Rev, Dr. f^amuei F. Jarvis. 



I could not see the propriety of many of the remarks contained 
m this letter. It seenied to me to obscure rather than explain 
the proceedmg-s of the Proprietors. Had I consulted my tem- 
poral interests, \ should at once have declined giving my consent. 
The sum which the Proprietors owed me would have more than 
paid ail my debts; «nd subsequent events have shown that the 
catastrophe would only have been hastened one year. But 
believing the declarations of the Wardens that the Proprietors 
meant not to treat oie with any personal disrespect, I considered 
It my duty to consult the spiritual interests of my flock by relin= 



21 

quishing my pecuniary claims, and accepting for the future the 
sum they had voted to give me. This 1 did by the following 
letter. 



Boston, May 8, 1824. 

My BRETHREN, 

I HAVE received your communication of the 5th inst. and beg 
leave to express to you how sensible I am of its affectionate and sooth- 
ing language. With such an explanation as you have given of the vote 
of the Proprietors, on the 6th of November 1823, I shall not hesitate 
to give my "assent to their wishes and arrangements." 

With the truest attachment to your and their interests, I remain, 
my brethren, your affectionate friend and pastor, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

Francis Wilby and James C. Merrill^ Esqs, 
Wardens of St. Paul's Church. 

On the 10th of May the late Warden and Chairman called and 
presented me the following account with a receipt in full of all 
demands. I signed the receipt without reading it. The account 
purports that a balance of ^689 04 was paid me on that day. In- 
stead of this, ^300 was paid on the 5th of May to a gentlemao 
who had on the 17th of Dec. 1823, kindly lent me the money, 
and for the balance of ^389 04 they gave me a due bill, with- 
out interest. It was not paid till the 5th of January 1825. 



T^he Bev. Samuel F. Jarvis, D. D. Hector of St. Paul's Church, in Account 
Dr. rtfith the Proprietors. Ch. 



this date, as p. receipts and 
an account already deliver 
ed him, ------ 

To cash in full, paid ]iim this 
day per receipt, - 





1823. 




Jan. 1. 


^3,172 C8 


1824. 


April. 


689 04 


Easter. 


^3,861 13 





By salary from Easter 1826 
the time of last settlement 
to this date is 8 1-3 months 
at the rate of ^2,500 per 
annum, is . - - . . 

By salary from Jan. 1, 1823 
to this time is 15 2-3 months 
at the rate of ^1,500 pei 
annum, according to the 
vote of Nov. 5, 1823, and the 
consent of Dr. Jarvis, is 

By an additional grant, be- 
ing the amount of aU the 
net proceeds of the funds 
of the Church unto and at 
Easter 1824, in conform' 
ity to the above mentioned 
vote, ------ 



jgi,r35 n 



g3,86l 12 



With this account they left a copy of the following Report 
prepared by the Wardens and Vestry. It was left before it was 
accepted; but it is hardly necessary to add that it was accepted 
at the meeting of the Proprietors on the 10th of May. 

The Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Paul's Church in Bostors, to 
whom was re-committed the late Report of the Vestry on the letter 
of the Rev. Rector with instructions, &c. 

Report: — That a letter under date of the 8th of May has been re- 
ceived from the Rev. Rector, in answer to a communication made to 



22 



him by the Wardens in behalf of the Vestiy, which is herewith com- 
municated to the Proprietors, in which he expresses his unqualified 
assent to the vote of the Proprietors of Nov. 6, 1823, relative to his sal- 
ary; also that a settlement has been made by the Treasurer with the 
Rev. Rector, up to Easter, 1824, upon the principles of said vote. 

Having gained their point, the Proprietors appeared to be 
satisfied. Every thing remained quiet till Easter 1825. Mr. 
Wilby frequently expressed the warmest attachment to me, in a 
manner which forbade my doubting his sincerit3^ Not six weeks 
before Easter be declared to a friend, what he had often declared 
to me, that he considered my connexion with St. Paul's Church 
and my consequent pastoral relation to himself and family as one 
of the greatest of his earthly blessings.* How strange that one 
slight incident should have so altered his estimation of my charac- 
ter, as to change the language of almost unmeasured panegyric, 
into that of still more unmeasured abuse! 

I regret that I have not a copy of the note written to him on 
the 5th of April. It was Easter Tuesday and I wrote it in the 
Vestry room on a scrap of paper. Its purport however will be 
learned from the following correspondence. 

Boston, April Q, 1825. 

Rsr. AicD Dear Sir, ' 

I REGRET that it is not in my power to comply with your re- 
quest, "to send or deposit for you, five hundred dollars." 

You are aware that it is not in the power of the Wardens, to author- 
ize the payment to you, of any farther sum, than $1,500, till all the 
other expenses of the Church are paid; and not then, but by an annual 
vote of the Proprietors. 

After I was chosen Senior Warden, on your nomination, I stated 
to you, most explicitly, that this arrangement must be strictly con- 
formed to by me; that for the first three quarters $500 should be 
regularly deposited at your credit (which has been done,) and that for 
any surj^lus you would 'be obliged, necessarily, to wait till all the con- 
cerns of the year were closed. On Easter Monday, I stated to you, 
that I wished 'the meeting adjourned for a fortnight, as in that time, I 
thought, that all the taxes would be collected, and all the bills against 
the Church paid, so that the necessary vote could be passed. 

As the course here pointed out is the only one I can pursue, I must 
beg, my beloved and respected pastor, that you will not again nominate 
me to a situation, in vvhich from a sense of duty, I cannot comply wdth 
all your wishes. 

I am Rev. and Dear Sir, most truly yours, F. Wilby. 

Re'j. Dr. Jarvis. 



* The declaratiori refei-red to was in the following tenns; "i consider the benefits resulting 
frosn r.'xx connexion wiA Dr. Jarvis to me and my family so great, that were we to live the re- 
nrain''"r of our ilavs upon bread and v ater. I should think that we were amply compensated."— 
^ 1 i:Vie he said to the same friend, "I am at a loss for language to describe the delight 
!i' the society of Dr. J."— A short time l>efore the difficulties commenced, he was 
. gei;l!eman who resided in the vicinity of Boston, for a house where his family 
vui^i/L I u = i ' Ue suminer. The - - ■ ! i- :vi mentioned one to him in a neighbouring town. "That." 
he replied, "is too far. It i. , 'he comfort of me and my family, that we should enjoy 



23 



Common St. April 9, 1825, 

My Dear Sir, 

I HAVE received your letter with surprise; for my recoliectiona 
of the conversations v/hich I had with you are different from yours.— 
1 understood that! was to receive fiunctually every quarter ^x-e- hun- 
dred dollars. It was against the convictions of my own judgment that 
I consented to the ignominious terms forced upon me by the Proprie- 
tors. I felt that I was sacrificing myself for the good of the Church; 
and it was some alleviation of the sacrifice that 1 was soothed by the 
language of hope and friendship. My nature is confiding, and I am too 
apt to look upon the bright side. But if after all my toil, this is to be 
my reward; better will it be for me to retire and live in seclusion upon 
a patrimony which has already been diminished in consequence of my 
acceptance of my present station. I have done all that I ought to do, 
St. Paul's is free from debt and is a flourishing congregation. Let it 
have some other pastor; for I cannot consent to any more humiliation. 
I have relied upon the faith of assurances, and at this moment have not 
a dollar to meet the most paltry demand. — Yet the rent of my house is 
due, and I every moment dread to receive a demand which I have 
hitherto answered with promptitude. 
I am, my dear Sir, very truly yours, Samuel F. Jarvis. 



Boston^ 15th Jfiril, 1825. 

Rev. Sir, 

On my return from Leicester, I received your letter of the 9th 
instant. 

I would spare your feelings, as well as my own, by avoiding any 
comment upon its contents; but I should be unfaithful to the proprie- 
tors of St Paul's, if I did not repel the imputations contained in it, as 
unjust and calumnious. 

On one point, after full advice, I agree with you entirely: "Let St, 
Paul's have some other pastor;" for, be assured. Rev. Sir, that this 
letter has lost, or will lose you, the confidence and respect of your sub- 
stantial parishioners. With the deepest regret, I say, it has lost mine 
altogether. 

A vestry meeting will be holden at St. Paul's on Monday next at 11 
o'clock (being one hour before the Proprietors' meeting,) or sooner, if 
you desire to "make any further communication. 

I am, Rev. Sir, with due respect, your obedient servant, 

F. WlLBY, 

To Dr. Jarvis. 



Common street, Friday night, AfirillS. 

I am not conscious of having said any thing, Mr. Wilby, which could 
justly give you offence; and certainly the ties which have subsisted 
between us uninjured by a word or look, for nearly five years ought to 
have prevented your writing me such a letter as that which I have 
just received. I think I know the character of your mind so well, that 
I may trust to its future operations, both for my justification, and your 
own self reproach. I forbear, therefore, to make any comments upon 
your letter, save only the assurance that it has produced in my heart 
inore sorrow than displeasure. Hence it will not prevent me from 
still subscribing myself, 

Affectionately, vour friend and servant. S. Fo Jarvis, 



24 



During all this time not one of the Proprietors came near me, 
Not one of them told me that there was any excitement. I was 
in company several times with the Junior Warden, but he did not 
open his lips. 1 knew that Mr Wiiby was passionate, but being 
ignorant that he had been busy from the 11th to the 15th in giving 
publicity to my letter, I could not believe that he would execute 
the threat conveyed in his last. On Monday the 18th, however, I 
was undeceived by the following communication. 

Boston, Mriin, 1825. 

Rev. Siu, 

I ENCLOSE you a certified copy of a vote of the Proprietors of St. 
Paul's Church, passed this day, concerning the late correspondence 
between Mr. Wilby, the Senioi- Warden and yourself; also a like cer- 
tified copy of the vote appointing a Committee upon that subject. 

The Proprietors adjourned the meeting until Monday next at 
4 o'clock, P. M., in order to receive the report of their Committee. 

ShouLl you think proper to make any communication to the Com- 
mittee, either verbally or by letter, they will be ready to receive it, at 
the time and place most agreeable to you, previous to the next meeting 
of the Proprietors. 

With all due respect, I am, Rev. Sir, your most obedient servant, 

Stephen Codman, Chairman of the Committee. 
Rev. Samuel Jarvis, D. D. Rector oj St. Paul's. 



At a meeting of the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church in Boston held 
April 18th, 1825, 

The Senior Warden having laid before the Proprietors, a Corres- 
pcndence between himself and the Rev. Rector on the subject of salary 
under dates of 5th, 9th, and i5th of April, 

Voted, that the Proprietors approve of the letter of Mr. Wilby of 
the 9th inst., and that the answer of the Rev. Rector of the same date 
does not appear to the Proprietors to be justified, nor to have been 
called for by anything contained in said Letter, nor by any act of the 
Proprietors. 

Voted, that the correspondence above mentioned be referred to 
Messrs. John Odin, Stephen Codman, John C. Warren, Eliphalet 
Williams and William Snimmin, with power to confer with the Rev. 
Rector, and report thereon at the adjourned meeting. 
Adjourned to Monday 25th inst. 4 o'clock, P. M. 

Attest, H. Codman, Projirietors^ Clerk. 



? Dr. Jarvis has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Cod- 
man's note enclosing the proceedings of the Proprietors of St. Paul's 
Church, and will be happy to receive their Committee at his study, to- 
morrow morning at nine o'clock. If that hour should be inconvenient 
to the Committee, any other which Mr. Codman may appoint will be 
equally agreeable. 

Common Street, JHonday evening. 

Previous to my seeing this Committee, I wrote the following 
letter to the Proprietors, and the next day the Jetter to the 



25 



Chairman of the Committee. The other two are here inserted 
as being in the order of time. 

Boston, Jpril 19, 1825. 

Gentlemen, 

On the 8th of May, 1824, I gave my assent to your vote of Nov. 
6, 1823, with the explanations which had been given in the letter of the 
Wardens of May 5th to which mine was an answer. I supposed that 
when this was done, and I had signed the settlement subsequently 
offered to me by the Committee appointed for that purpose, there 
would be no occasion for any further discussion of this to me most 
painful subject. As I have never made any other communication to 
the Proprietors, I have yet to learn the propriety or necessity of 
reviving it on the present anniversary. 

From the time in which he accepted the office of Senior Warden, 
Mr. Wilby and myself were on terms of the closest intimacy and, as I 
supposed, "friendship. Feeling myself perfectly safe in doing so, I 
spoke and wrote to him on all occasions without restraint, and as we 
could not always be together, notes constantly passed between us of 
the most free and colloquial character. Such were the letters which 
as it appears from your communication, he has laid before you. They 
were strictly private and confidential, and as such ought never to have 
been made publick. The first was vvritten immediately after I had 
received what I considered as a hasty note on his part; and it was 
written in the free and unguarded manner in which I would have 
spoken to him. Such communications ought always to be construed, 
as conversations between intimate friends should be. All confidence 
would be banished if, on such occasions, words were to be weighed and 
measured, as in formal and official papers. My letter had no connex- 
ion with the proceedings of the Proprietors. It was an expression of 
private opinion. It alluded entirely to conversations had with Mr. 
Wilby, and to pledges of private friendship; and by these alone can it 
be explained. It would be obviously improper, therefore, for me to 
enter into any publick and official explanation of its contents, I am 
perfectly willing, however, to converse with any individuals of my par- 
ish, respecting all the transactions which have occurred between me 
and Mr. Wilby. Since the sanctity of private friendship has been 
violated, I consider the letters alluded to, as no longer his, but mine, 
and as such you will I trust do me the favour to direct your Secretary 
to return them to me. 

I cannot forbear remarking. Gentlemen, that such discussions be- 
tween a clergyman and his parishioners are very injurious to the Chris- 
tian character, and are unworthy both of you and of me. If your 
records must go down to posterity laden with so unhallowed a burthen, 
let them at least bear along with them, the solemn appeal of your 
Rector to the Searcher of all hearts, that his great object has been to 
promote the salvation of your immortal souls, and although not indiffer- 
ent upon the subject of a proper maintenance in his arduous office, 
that he has not sought yours but you. 

I enclose a receipt in full for my salary during the last year, and 
remain, Gentlemen, with affectionate interest, your faithful pastor, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

To the Profirietors of St. Paul's Church. 



Bostojif Easter Monday, Jpril 4, 1825. 
Received from the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church, by the hands 
of Mr. Francis Wilby the Senior Warden, the sum of ^^1,500, being in 

4 



26 



tiill tor my salary as Rector of St. Paul's Church, durine; the year 
ending this day. Samuel F. Jarvis. 

Rector of St. Paul's Church, Boston. 



Boston, April 20, 1825. 

oIR, 

The enclosed communication to the Proprietors of St. Paul's 
Church was prepared before I had the honour of receiving their Com- 
mittee. For reasons therein assigned, I have entered into'no explana- 
tion of my letter to Mr. Wilby; but as from your conversaticn 1 have 
learned the grounds of offence taken from some of its expressions, and 
my declining to explain them officially, may be construed into an un- 
willingness to meet the subject, I take the liberty of addressing this 
letter to you, with the design of having its contents communicated to 
the Proprietors in any way you may think proper. 

1 have stated to the Proprietors the circumstances under which that 
letter was wntten, and which fairlv entitle me to the indulgence 
usually given in cases of private conversation and confidential corres- 
pondence. But I shall waive that privilege, and lay no claim to indul- 
gence. My expressions shall be judged as severelv and as rigidly, as 
they ought to be if deliberately chosen and designed for publicity. 

The first expression which you mentioned as having given offence, 
was this: "that against the convictions of my own judgment, I consented 
to the Ignominious terms forced upon me the'Proprieto? s." I used 
the term ignominious in r;elation to myself, not to the Proprietors; and 
in relation to the effect of their measures, not the measures themselves. 
Measures really just and right m^v be very ignominious in relation to 
the ptrson who suffers from r,hcm. I disclaim all idea of imputing 
unworthy motives to the Proprietors, ail of v. hom i have considered as 
my personal friends, is ay more:— the explanations given me by the 
Wardens m their letter of May 5, 1824, convinced me that the 'Pro- 
prietors had no design to wound my feelings by their vote of Nov. 6, 
1823. If this vote had not been known beyond the precincts of my ou n 
parish or even out of Massachusetts, it would not have produced the 
humiliating effect upon m.y mind which it did. But my excellent 
jDarishioners cannot know as I do, how different the habits and institu- 
tions of New England are, in matters of this nature, from the habits and 
modes of thinking which prevail where, before the revolution, the 
Church of England was by law established. The circumstance's re- 
lating to the establishment of St. Paul's Church, have pi educed a 
deep interest in its welfare among the clergy and laitv of our Church 
throughout the United States. It is no exaggeration to say that it has 
been tor a while the most prominent object of attention of all the 
Churches in the Union. Its affairs, therefore, are generally known 
and canvassed. I knew better than any of mv parishioners could 
know, the effect which the knowledge of the vote of Nov. 6, 1823 would 
have upon the clergy and laity in the States south of New England. 
They would inevitably construe it into an act of personal disrespect to 
me, or as an evidence of the declining condition of the Church under 
my ministration. In both cases the effect upon my reputation, unless it 
should be counteracted, would be degrading. Sensitiveness to my pro- 
lessional reputation, ought not, I should imagine, to be imputed to me 
as a weakness or a fault. 

All this would have been prevented, if the Proprietors had consulted 
me beiore they passed that vote, or if, when it came to my knowledge 
which It did not till some time in the subsequent year, they would have 



27 



listened to the propositions which I was desirous to make for its repeal, 
and the substitution of another which would have been the same in 
substance, but somewhat different in form. I wished to have had the 
vote of the Vestry of March 5, 1821, to be considered as the fixed and 
unalterable terms of settlement; but that, at the expiration of each year, 
the same mode of balancing accounts should take place, which was 
pursued at Easter 1822 * That is to say that after all the expences of 
the year were paid, if the balance should fall short of $2,500, there 
should be an annual relinquishment on my part of such sum as the 
parish might be unable to pay me. In tliis way, while my salary 
would have been nominally the same, the parish v/ould have sustained 
no inconvenience. There would have been no ostensible change. The 
clergy and laity in other States would not have known that we were 
embarrassed v/ith any difficulties, nor could they have suspected for an 
instant that the Rector of St. Paul's had lost the confidence or the 
affection of his people. All this would have been effected if the Pro- 
prietors could have realized the honesty of their Rector's motives, 
and conformed in this slight particular to his wishes. But to my 
great surprise my motives were misunderstood, and it was imagined, 
I cannot repress my astonishment, for my whole life presents a 
contradiction to the thought— it was imagined that I was tena- 
cious of a paltry sum of money. The habits and institutions of 
New England, arising from the manner of its settlement, have 
produced a jealousy of any connexion of a clergyman with legisla- 
tion concerning the temporalities of a parish, which does not exist 
in other States. In New-York, all business is done by the Vestry, 
never by the parish at large; and by the general statute of that State 
for the incorporation of Episcopal Churches, (drawn up by General 
Hamilton) the Rector is made so essential a part of the Vestry that 
no business can be done without him. Of course, coming from that 
State and accustomed to that practice, I could not imagine the exist- 
ence of such a feeling as I found was excited by my saying any thing on 
the subject of salary. But finding that this feeling did exist, that my 
motives were thus misunderstood, and knowing how difficult it is to 
overcome the excitements of popular sensibility, I sacrificed my own 
wishes and submitted to those of the Proprietors. At the same time, 
my views of the subject were not altered. I knew better than the 
Proprietors could know how their proceedings would be viewed by my 
brethren in the other parts of the Union. I am still of the same opin- 
ion, that the course of procedure, which I have mentioned as consonant 
to my wishes, would have been the best for the Church, as well as the 
most reputable to myself; but I should not have opened my lips again on 
the subject if it had not been thus unnecessarily revived. VV^hen I 
spoke to Mr. Wilby I thought I was speaking almost as to another self. 

You will here permit me. Sir, to notice an expression which fell 
from yourself during my interview with the Committee. You spoke of 
"feelings rankling in my bosom." If words are to be weighed and 
measured, "rankling" is much more exceptionable than "ignominious " 
Ihe latter is susceptible of two senses, and two applications; the 
former can be understood only in one. We speak of -uindictive and 
impure passions when we use the term ''rankling." Your words 
therefore conveyed a most unfounded and injurious imputation. There 
is not an individual of my parish for whom 1 do not feel a warm affec- 
tion. I may be wounded by the proceedings of the Proprietors. I may 
be grieved by theunkindness of one whom I considered my friend; but 
towards neither do I feel any of those passions which poison and' cor- 
rode the springs of human action. 



'* See page 12. 



28 



The second expression mentioned to me as having given offence was 
the following. "Let St. Paul's have some other pastor; for I cannot 
consent to any more humiliation." It seems to have been inferred that 
I designed to express my intention of leaving my parish, and that it was 
in fact a virtual tender of my resignation. No such idea could for one 
moment have been entertained if the nature of the letter had been 
properly considered. Should the time ever arrive when I must have 
the affliction of breaking the ties which bind a pastor to his flock, I 
shall never have recourse to indirect or private methods. There is 
but one mode pointed out by our Canons of dissolving the pastoral re- 
lation, whether it be desired by the congregation or by the clergyman. 
The official tender of resignation must be made with the knowledge 
and consent of the congregation to the Bishop. The letter being 
viewed as a private communication, the meaning of my words will be 
fully apparent. With the Proprietors the whole difference, — if differ- 
ence it might be called, when the question simply was whether the 
form of proceeding should be, that they should voluntarily pay me the 
overiplus of $1,500, or I should voluntarily relinquish to them, the 
deficit of $2,500; — be that as it may, — the whole difference had been 
definitively settled the last year. From them, therefore, I did not and 
could not expect "any more humiliation." I wished to forget what had 
passed, and for this reason desired never to hear it spoken of. Mr. 
Wilby knew my feelings, and once told me rather bluntly that he 
looked upon them as a weakness. I rephed that if they were so they 
ought to be respected; and I requested him as a friend never again to 
mention the subject. After such a request, I considered it as wanton 
and indelicate in his note, of April 9th to introduce what he must have 
known would give me pain. My object, therefore, was to prevent, by 
a strong expression, the recurrence of any such conversation or corres- 
pondence. There was no occasion for it, because when I asked him to 
make a deposit of $500, it had no reference to the votes of the Pro- 
prietors or tlie amount I might receive at Easter, but to a private ac- 
commodation in order to meet my rent and a debt which I owed to Mr. 
Wilby himself. And here I beg' leave to remark, that all the expres- 
sions in the l^eglnningof my letter related to a private promise which 
Mr. Wilby had'^given me, and not to any transactions of the Proprietors. 
I understood him to say, in reftrence to the payment of my rent, that 
as long as he was Warden I might depend upon receiving from him 
'''■punctually every quarter,^' (these were his very words, and therefore 
I underscored them, and I might have added what I am confident he 
said, x.\\^Jirst day of every quarter) five hundred dollars. But this was a 
matter of private accomrnodation,for which I certainly did not consider 
the Proprietors to be responsible. I felt grateful to Mr. Wilby for what 
I considered as an act of gratuitous kindness and generosity; because if 
he had confined himself to the letter of the vote, he could only have 
given me the one fourth of $1,500. I take pleasure in expressing on 
this occasion my obligations to Mr. Wilby, because I have ever found 
him, this one instance excepted, acting the part of a generous and dis- 
interested friend. 

One of the greatest sources of regret, at the unnecessary publicity of 
this letter, is the apprehension that it may be understood as an act of 
complaint or vain glory. I might with propriety, in the confidence 
of private friendship, speak of sacrifices and toils, the diminution of 
property, and the embarrassment of claims which could not be answer- 
ed, because the individual to whom 1 wrote knew my past and present 
situation almobt as intimately as 1 knew it myself; but to speak pub- 
lickly of such things would be inconsistent v/ith my views of dignity or 
propriety. My only hope is that the Proprietors will see from this 
verv circumstance how much reason I have to consider myself injured 
by this proceedmg of the Senior W^arden. 



29 



I have only to add in conclusion, the expr^es&ion of my unhappmess at 
tindine that after a residence of nearly five years in Boston, my char- 
acter Is so little understood as it appears to be from the votes which 
you were appointed to communicate 

I have the honour to be with respectful consideration, Sir, your 
obedient servant, Samuel F. Jarvis. 

Stephen Codman, Esq. Chairman of the Committee 
of the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church. 



Boston, Jiprill^y 1^15. 

Rev. Sir, , . , 

In pursuance of a vote of the Vestry yesterday, I enclose you the 
Treasurer's check for $400. 

I think the Treasurer's account will be liquidated in the course ct 
the week, when the final balance will be transmitted you. 

I am, Rev. Sir, with due respect, your most obedient servant, 

F. WiLBY. 

Dr. Jarvis. 

P. S. Be pleased to send a receipt by Henderson. F. W, 



Boston, April 19, 1825. 

Sir 

'You will excuse me from receiving the enclosed $400. I have 
no demands upon St. Paul's Church, having already signed a receipt in 
full for $1,500, which will be presented to the Proprietors at their 
adjourned meeting. 
1 am. Sir, with due respect, your obedient servant, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

The letter to the Proprietors and that to Mr. Codman I did 
not send till Saturday the 23d, and in the mean time, I addressed 
a note to one of the most influential gentlemen in the church, 
requesting an intervievy. Not one of the Proprietors, as I have 
observed, had come near me. When, therefore, I received a 
kind note in reply, it seemed to he the soothing voice of friend- 
ship. As the conversation vi^hich ensued threw more light upon 
the whole subject than it has received from any other source^ 
I shall here insert from ray memoranda such parts as appear to 
me important. The fidehty of the narrative obliges me to give 
the relation in his own words, even where his remarks were 
personal and complimentary. 

After I had read to him a copy of my letter to the Proprietors 
and that to Mr. Codman, he asked me if 1 wished him to speak 
freely to me. I replied, certainly. I sent to you as my friend. 
Am 1 mistaken in this confidence? Are you not my friend.^ "i 
am." Then of course I expect you to speak to me without 
reserve: ''Well then, Sir, you do not suppose that this trifle 
(these words were spoken with great emphasis) Is the real cause 



30 



Qt the diilicuitj. I have made it my business since I received 
your note to converse with the g-entlemen interested in the con- 
cerns of the Cnurch, and I find that they have lost their confi- 
dence m yon." Astonished at this declaration, 1 paused and at 
length said "Lost their conlidence in me! Who have lost their 
confidence?" '^They tell me" said he, '4hat all the Proprietors 
have. I paused again and then said, ''Allow me to ask you, 
have the Proprietors any objection to me, as a man, as a Chris- 
tian or as a Christian minister?" ''None at all Sir," he replied. 
"They all know, at least 1 well know, how great have been your 
labours, and how devoted you have been to the poor, the afflicted, 
the sick and the dying." "What then is their objection?" "It 
IS to your sentiments, which may do very well in the *Middle 
States, but are not suited to the character of the people of Bos- 
ton Upon my asking to what sentiments he alluded, he said 
with regard to the Church service, its length, and my unwilling- 
ness to shorten it. I took up the Canons from my table, and 
turning to the Constitution, read the declaration of conformity to 
the worship of the Church which every clergyman makes at his 
ordination.* ^'This," 1 observed, "is tantamount to an oath. Could 
you respect me,-could any member of my parish respect me— if I 
were to violate it?" He replied, "But Dr. Gardiner's Church is 
full, and there are no complaints of the service being too lon^ at 
Trmity." " t is not," said I, "my province to accuse Dr. Gardi- 
ner; but would my parishioners wish me to be in all respects like 
him? There IS not a clergyman in the United States like him." 
No remark being made in reply, I added, "The time I occupy in 
reading the morning service rarely exceeds an hour, and I doubt 
whether you will find any regular clergyman who reads it faster. 
It IS possible you may find one who will violate his obligations by 

rp'^nif^^^''^"'?^''\^"* ^^"'^ ^"^h an one be acceptable ili 
St. Paul s?' To tnis he made no reply. After another pause I 
observed, "It would be too delicate a question to ask, whether 
you would remam attached to my ministration, but I may ask 
whether you are determined to remain attached to the Protes- 
tant ii^piscopal Church?" To this inquiry he answered in the 
affirmative, but aher a pause, added: "Not that 1 think much of 
these lorms.'- "Perhaps," said I with a smile, "you do not 
think much of Epi^copacy." fJe shrugged his shoulders and 
with a smile expressive of indifference, replied, "Why no" 
"Here then is the difference between us" said J. "I am *a 



* No person shall be admitted to Holy Orders iinti' lip »,o,-^ u 

Bisl,op and by two Presbyters, and shall have exhibited such te tl^^-oi ^^^mmed by the 

as the Canons in that case j.rovided may direct nor shal «nf^^^^^^^^ '''V^ K^V'''^^'^ 
have subscribed the following declaration: "^d^ Sieve L^l^ " ^rdamed until le shall 
Testament to be the word of God, and to cc^nt^in ail tl hfp^ scnptures of the Old and New 
aolemnly engage to conform to the doemn« and wnri/^'^^^ salvation; And I do 

these United States." No^ersofoSed b^a f^.tn^ Protestant Episcopal Church in 

a Minister of this Church, u?S heThal hav^comS^^^^ ^ permitted to officiate a* 

provided, and have also subscribed the kfo74S^^^ 



31 



Churchman from principle, and think that Episcopacy and a 
Liturgy are essential to the well-being of the Church, and to the 
preservation of good order and sound doctrine. You have taken 
a load from my breast; for if there are no objections to me as a 
man, a Christian, and a Ctiristian minister, and the only objection 
is that I am a Churchman, I can rise superiour to it all. — But 
what do you advise me to do?" To this he said: "You had better 
go into the Middle States. Your talents will readily command a 
station equal if not superiour to what you now hold; and you will 
be much happier there. The Proprietors of St. PauPs Church 
have given, you a sufficient reason to assign for leaving them^ by 
having reduced your salary. '^^ "Pardon rae for differing from you. 
If I were a poor man dependent upon my salary only for support, 
the reduction of it would be a sufficient reason; for if the alter- 
native were to go, or to starve, every one would justify a clergy- 
man for retiring from his charge; but if / were to go, it would be 
attributed to mercenary motives." 1 paused, but as he was 
silent, I continued: "I was in possession of a most honourable 
station at New York, with a larger salary than that which I was 
to have received at Boston. Tiie Proprietors invited me to leave 
it. I came and have laboured like a slave for five years; and 
now, because they are disappointed in the sale of their pews, am 
I to be cast aside like an old shoe, without ceremony — with indif- 
ference?" — To this he made no direct answer; but after a pause 
said, "Consider the consequences if you do not go now.— -The 
gentlemen think they have given you a sufficient reason to go by hav- 
ing reduced your salary. They are resolved that you must go^ and if 
you do not^ the next thing ivill be that they will attack your moral 
character.'''' 

From this conversation, the whole truth seemed at once to flash 
upon my mind. I was convinced that there had been a design for 
some time to bring about a separation between me and my parish; 
that the reduction of my salary had been one of the measures 
concerted for this purpose; and that the persons concerned in it 
only sought a pretext for its accomplishment, which they supposed 
they had found when my letter to Mr. Wilby of the 9th of April 
was divulged. Whether i am correct in this opinion, it must 
rest with their own consciences to determine, 

On iVlonday the 25th of April, I set out for New York, and on 
that day a meeting of the Proprietors was held. One of the gen- 
tlemen on the Committee appointed the 1 8th of April declined 
serving; and he assigned as a reason for this to a friend of mine 
that he knew the Committee had been raised for the express purpose 
of bringing about a separation. In consequence of my departure, 
the meeting was adjourned to the 23d of May. 

On the 12th of May I returned from New York, and on Mon- 
day the 16th had an interview by appointment with another of the 
Proprietors in the Vestry Room. This conversation, of which 1 
have preserved copious memoranda, but which I omit for the sake 



32 



of brevity, strengthened the impression made by the conversation 
which 1 have just given. 

During my absence the greatest efforts h^id been made to pre- 
possess the public mind. Those Proprietors who had never taken 
any active part in the affairs of the Church were visited, and 
either rendered neutral, or converted into partizans, by the rep- 
resentations made. My friends were told that any attempt to 
defend, would only injure me; that 1 would not dare to meet an 
investigation of my conduct; and that out of tenderness to me the 
best that could be done was to induce me to leave the parish as 
quietly as possible. Mr. Wilby the Senior Warden was heard to 
say, that 'Hhey had opened the door for me, and if I went out 
peaceably hke a gentleman it was very well; if not they would 
kick me out." So deeply did the proceedings of the Wardens 
and some of the Vestry, tvound my character, that in the opinion 
of some of the truest and soundest members of our Church, it was 
no longer optional with me what course to pursue. "You wish 
Dr. J. to hang himself that he may avoid being hanged," was the 
emphatic answer made to one of my opponents who expressed the 
hope that 1 would at once resign. My own reputation, therefore, 
forbade me to resign; and 1 determined quietly but firmly to meet 
the storm. 

On the 23d of May, the Committee raised on the 18th and 25th 
of April made the following report: — 

The Committee to whom were referred the Correspondence of the 
Rev. Rector of St. Paul's Church with the Senior Warden under dates 
of the 5th, 9th and 15th April — together with the letter of the Rev. 
Rector to the Proprietors of the 19th, that to the Chairman of this 
Committee of the 20th, and also that to the Senior Warden of the 
19th April returning the Treasurer's Check for ;^400. 

Report: — That they have considered the subject with the care and 
solicitude which it deserves; and under the circumstances in which 
this Churcli has been placed, they find great cause deeply to lament 
the occurrence of a correspondence, such as the Senior Warden has, 
in the fulfilment of a duty which he owed to them, laid before the 
Proprietors. 

The note of the Rev. Rector of the 5th April, may be considered 
private and unofficial, although the Senior Warden, in his reply of the 
9th, does not appear to have viewed it in that light; for that reply, in 
the opinion of the Committee refers directly to his official charac- 
ter. The letter of the Rev. Rector in answer of the same date (April 
9th) in the opinion of the Committee does not contain any thing indica- 
ting a distinct intention at the time to have it considered confidential. 
But whether official or private it contained sentiments, and the evi- 
dence of feelings towards his Parishioners, highly important for them 
to know. The Committee therefore cannot, in the present state of 
things, recommend to the Proprietors a compliance at this time with 
the request of the Rev. Rector to order the Clerk, to return to him his 
letter of the 9th April. 

The Committee feel assured that the Rev. Rector, in seltiding to the 
Proprietors a receipt, in full of his salary for the past year for the sum 
of 150(J dollars and in returning the Treasurer's Check for 400 dollars— 
the balance on hand voted him by the vestry — has mistaken his own 



33 



rights and misinterpreted the vote of Nov. 6, 1823, with the explanations 
that have been given of it. The sum of 400 dollars wheu voted, be- 
came as much a' part of his salarv as the sum of 1500 dollars below 
wiiich he was guaranteed that his salary should not fall. W herefore 
your Committee recorirmend that the receipt in full for 1500 dollars 
be respectfully returned to the Rev. Rector and that it be sigmhed to 
him that the sum of 400 dollars awaits his order in the hands ot the 
Treasurer. 

The Committee are grieved to find themselves constramed to say 
that they cannot consider the letter of the Rev. Rector to the Proprie- 
tors under date of April 19th, nor that to the Chairman of this Com- 
mittee under date of April 20th, as removing the unhappy impressions 
created by his letter of the 9th April to the Senior Vv^arden. Lan- 
guage such as he has seen fit to use respecting the Proprietors must be 
its own interpreter. He appears, by that letter, to be sufFermg under 
a sense of wrong from the measures of his parishioners; _ and all the 
assurances and explanations offered him, from time to time, seem to 
have had no real effect in removing the unfavourable impression which 
he at first received, nor to have altered his first view of their proceed- 
ings. 

If the Proprietors had indeed forcsd upon the Rev. Rector terms 
which, even in relation to their effects, could justly have been called 
ignominious — or if they had forced upon him any terms, it would, at 
the time perhaps, have been a full justification of the expression "let 
St. Paul's have some other Pastor." But the Committee cannot per- 
ceive how the reminding him of those measures of the Proprietors, at 
a subsequent period, by an individual and in a confidential correspond- 
ence, as he contends was the case here, could be viewed by him as a 
humiliation sufhcient to justify harsh expressions, involving the welfare 
of all his Parishioners. 

By the letter of the Rev. Rector of Dec. 5, 1822, he freely and volun- 
tarily consented to a reduction of his salary, and the terms ot which 
he now complains are founded on that letter. No force appears ever 
to have been resorted to except that of reason and the apparent strong 
and pressing necessity of the case; which at that time seemed to in- 
duce him to believe that his own interest, as well as tiiat of the Church, 
required that all expenses should be diminished. 

In the opinion of the Committee the consent of the Rev. Rector to a 
reduction of his salary was honourable to him; and they cannot com- 
prehend how the vote of the Proprietors founded on such consent was 
capable of being viewed in any portion of the United States as evidence 
of a failure of respect towards him on the part of his congregation. 
Strong evidence existed to the contrary. With the special view of in- 
viting him to become its Pastor, the Proprietors had erected for him at 
an expense unequalled in New England, a Church, which to use his 
own words "has produced a deep interest in its welfare among the 
Clergy and laity of our church throughout the United States." Through 
their exertions he was thus enjoying a most distin^;uished opportunity 
of usefulness and honour. And during nearly five years that he has 
been their Pastor, he has actually received a sum which amounts within 
a fraction to tiie rate of $2,000 ^ev annum, A salary, it is^ believed, 
considerably above the average of those paid to the other Clergymen 
of this city. 

The Committee forbear to call the attention of the Proprietors to 
many considerations connected with the subject. They would rather, 
were it possible, soothe the wounded feelings of the Proprietors. But 
they are conscious that in relations so delicate as those subsisting be- 
tween a Clergyman and his Parishioners it would be vain to attempt to 
restore a harmony thus interrupted. They consider that the peace of 



34 



the Church has received a deep wound; that the confidence which 
ought to exist between a Pastor and his flock is essentially interrupted; 
and that the usetulness oi the Rev. Rector amone us is unhappily ereat- 
ly diminished. i'r j & 

Not that your Committee believe that there is anv thing vindictive or 
uniorgivmg m the spirit which has been called forth bv the expres- 
sions ot the Rev. Rector; but they cannot resist the conviction that it is 
useless to hope that the opinions of the Rev. Rector and the Proprie- 
tors can ever be brought to coincide upon the course of measures and 
e\ ents which have brought about the present estrangement— or that 
tney can ever proceed together hereafter with that union and con- 
hdence indispensable for the welfare of the Church. Which is sub- 
mitted. 

(Signed) John Odin, 

Eliphalet Willia3is, 

WlLLIA3I SHIM3IIN, 

M. S. Parker, 

H. CODMAN. 

Attest. H. Codman, Clerk. 



There were present at this meeting 31 persons. No opposi- 
tion probably was expected. There was however so much, that 
the Report was laid on the table, and the meeting adjourned till 
the 7th of June. By this time the Chairman of "the B. C, who 
had involved the Church in so much expense; who had been so 
active in obtaining frorp me the letter of Dec. 5, 1822; who pro- 
posed the plans adopted on the 16th of that month, which led to 
the proceedings of Nov. 6, 1823; and who was thus the ultimate 
cause of every difficulty:— this gentleman had returned to Boston 
after an absence of two years. On the 7th of June, he was the 
most prominent member of the opposition; and by his advice, 
and on his motion, the following proceedings were then had. 



At a meeting of the Proprietors of Saint Paul's Church in Boston 
1825 ^^j°^^i'"™^rits from the annual meeting, on Tuesday, June 7th, 

Voted:— ThRt the Wardens and Vestry be requested to communi- 
cate to the Rev. Dr. Jarvis a copv of the Report now on the table, Avith 
such views of the existing state of the Church respecting the subject 
matter of this report and such other communications in relation there- 
to, as, in their judgment, they mav deem most kind and l^espectful to- 
wards him, and lor the best interests of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church m general, and this Cliurch in particular; to which we shall 
ever feel ourselves warmlv attached and whose prosperity and useful- 
ness we are desirous to promote. 

True copy, Attest, fisxRY Cod3IAX, Clerk of the Frojirietors. 



^ o Boston, June 7, 1825. 

Kev. and Dear Sir, 

_ At a meeting of the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church, held this 
day, it was resolved, that a copv of the Report of their Committee 
ottered on the 23d ult. and on this dav taken up for consideration be 
transmitted to yourself, and the meeting stand's adjourned to receive 



35 



any communication you may wish to make, until Friday next at 4 
o'clock, P. M. 

In transmitting this cop;^, we feel it our duty to state with frankness, 
that we have no doubt of its acceptance by a large majority; and Ave 
earnestly entreat vou to consider the consequences to the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, to yourself, and to this Church, of placing such a 
document, with the letters therein referred to, upon the records of St. 
Paul's. 

We are all deeply interested in the maintenance of this most valuable 
institution, and that you are equally so, neither of us can doubt. For 
ourselves, we desire it may be understood, tliat we are resolved to main- 
tain it in all its puritv and usefulness. We deem this a sacred duty, 
to which we stand pledged; and no considerations, we humbly trust, 
will lead us from the course its obligations impose upon us. 

We enclose with this, a copy of the vote authorizing this communica- 
tion, and remain. Rev. and Dear Sir, with every disposition to preserve 
the most friendly relations with yourself, your respectful Wardens and 
Vestry. 

In behalf of the Wardens and Vestrj-, 

James C. Merrill, Junior Warden. 

Mev. Dr. Jarvis.^ Rector of St. Paul's C/iurch, Boston. 



At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's Church in Boston, June 7th 
1825. 

y-Qted: — That the foregoing communication be signed by the Junior 
Warden in behalf of the Wardens and Vestry and presented to the 
Rev. Rector. 

Attest, Henry Codman, Clerk. 

1 saw clearly the object of this measure, and after consultatiort 
aad advice, returned the following answer. 

Boston^ June 9, 1825. 

My Brethren, 

I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of June 7th conveying 
to 'me the vote of the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church, passed that 
day, and a copy of the Report to which it refers. 

I have read that Report with much attention, and yet I frankly con- 
fess mv inability to determine, either from that or from your letter, 
what the Proprietors as a body, or you as their representatives, wish 
me to do. Suffer me then to request of you, my Brethren, to tell me 
distinctly and explicitly, what the wishes are of that "large majority" 
of the Proprietors who, you inform me, are prepared to accept the 
Report? Is it their wish to bring about a separation and dissolution of 
all sacerdotal relation between me and the congregation committed to 
my charge? If such is their wish, will they be pleased to say so, and to 
inform me on what terms they propose that separation? If such is not 
their wish, will they have the kindness to tell me that it is not, and 
what they require from me in order to heal the wound the existence of 
which, the Report of their Committee affirms? An early answer to 
these inquiries will oblige me, and will be attended to, as soon as 
practicable. . 

Peace and harmony should be promoted by all Christians if it be 
possible, and as much as in them lieth. Be assured then, my Brethren, 



36 



that I feel a_ strong desire to meet the wishes of the Pronrietors, so far 
as I can do it consistently with a sense of duty. ^ 

I am, my Brethren, with Christian regard, your servant for Jesus' 
Samuel F. Jarvis, Rtxto?- of St. Paul's Church. 

Tiiis was sent on the 10th of June, at 12 o'clock, to the Junior 
Warden. Mis absence prevented his receiving- it 'till a short 
time before the meeting of the Proprietors, in the afternoon. 
Little more than an hour afterwards, a Committee of two gen- 
tlemen presented me the following leller ffom the Wardens and 
Vestry. 

St. Paul's Church, Vestry Room, 4 o'clock, P. M. Jmie 10, \^25. 
Rev. Sir, 

The Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's Church in Boston, have 
only this moment received your letter under date of yesterday, in 
which you profess to be unable to determine, either from tlie Report 
transmitted to you, or from the letter of this body of the 7th, v/hat the 
Proprietors wish you to do in relation to the mihappy difference exist- 
ing in the Church. 

it is not the province of the Wardens and Vestry to point out to you 
what course you ought to pursue on this occasion, or what would be 
most expedient as it respects yourself and the Church. But we feel it 
our duty to reply to your demand, that it is our firm belief that no other 
course than a separation and dissolution of all sacerdotal relation be- 
tween their Rev. Rector and the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church, can 
heal tlie wound, the existence of which, that Report affirms. 

As to the terms on which such separation should be founded, the 
Vestry give no opinion, except that they believe that it is the wish of 
the Proprietors that your honour and interest should be properly con- 
sulted. 

With respect, your most obedient servants, the Wardens and Vestry 
of St. Paul's Church, by James C. Merrill, Junior Vyarden. 
Rev. Dr. Samutl F. Jarvis. 



I took the letter and laid it on the table, replying, will 
attend to it, gentlemen." '^The Wardens and Vestry and Propri- 
etors are now in session and ask for an immediate answer." "It 
is impossible for me to give an immediate answer." '-Will vou 
send one this'al'ternoon .?" I paused and said, "Ha^^e the goodness 
to be seated, Gentlemen, and 1 will read it." After reading it, I 
returned into the room and said, "I must decline all conversation, 
Gentlemen, but will give you in writing, if you desire it, that it is 
impossible for me to answer a letter requiring such grave delib- 
eration immediately." 1 added, that if the Wardens^and Vestry 
and Proprietors would adjourn to any time they pleased, I would 
send them an answer. To this one of the gentlemen replied: 
"You will allow me to observe Sir, that the Proprietors think 
they have allowed time enough." 

Late on Saturday evening the 11th of June, while I was pre- 
paring lor the duties of the approaching Sabbath, I received the 
following comraunicatioD. 



37 



Boston, June 11, ms. 

Rev. ^r,^ Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's Church in Boston, have 
the honour to transmit to vou an attested copy of the proceedings ot 
the Proprietors at their meeting of the lOth of June current, by the 
Report of the Committee made on the 23d ult. an attested copy where- 
of tias been laid before you and which is now accepted without ?mend- 
ment you will perceive that vour receipt in full of your salary tor tne 
sum of $1 500 isto be respectfully returned. The Wardens and Vestry 
herewith enclose that document, and beg you to resume it, as given 
under a misapprehension of the effect of the vote of Nov. 6,^82o, with 
the explanations given you and your assent thereto; and the>^beg 
leave to add, that the sum of $400 appropriated to you by a vote o. the 
Vestrv of April 18th, and which you returned to tne Senior \\ arden in 
your letter of the 19th April, remain in tht hands of the Treasurer sub- 
iect to vour order and is justly yours. 

In consequence of the vote of the Proprietors of yesterday, and m 
pursuance of the authority delegated to them, the Wardens and Ves- 
try resnectfuliy call your attention to the subject of a dissolution ot 
your pastoral "connexion with St. Paul's Church in Boston, which is 
unhappily made necessary for the peace of the Church. The War- 
dens and Vestry would be considered as duly appreciating your readi- 
ness to meet the exigencies of the Church, and to unite your eltorts 
with theirs to promote its prosperity, when they request you, as they 
now respectfully do, to join with them in requesting the Right Rev. 
Bishop of this Diocese to concur in a dissolution of the connexion sub- 
sisting between you and this congregation, on such terms and condi- 
tions as may appear reasonable and proper, under the circumstances ot 
the case, ^. . . ^- ^ 

The Wardens and Vestry propose to adjourn their meeting to 
Tuesday next at^ o'clock. A, M. previous to which it is desirable that 
they should receive an answer to their req\iest. With sentiments of 
due consideration and respect, they have the honour to be your most 
obedient servants. The Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's Church, by 

James C. Merrill, Junior Wardtn. 

To the Rev. Dr. Samuel F. Jarvis, Bee tor of St. Paul's Church. 



At an adjourned meeting of the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church, in 
Boston, held by adjournments from time to time from the annual meet- 
ing, on Friday, June 10, 1825. . , . , ,^ 

The Junior Vv^arden, J. C. Merrill, Esq. presided, in the absence of 
the Senior Warden. 

The Record of the last meeting was read. 

The Warden in behalf of the Wardens and Vestry reported that, 
in obedience to the directions of the Proprietors, a letter under date ot 
June 7th, v/hich he read, was addressed to the Rev. Rector by the 
Wardens and Vestry, and that an answer thereto, under date ot yester- 
day, has been received a quarter of an hour before the time ot this 
meeting, which answer he also read. Also that tiie Wardens and 
Vestry have sent a Committee to the Rev. Rector with a reply there- 
to, which reply was read, and that said Committee are now on that 
duty and will report to the Proprietors. _ 

After a few minutes the Committee, Messrs. Sullivan and Shim mm 
came in and reported in writing, stating in substance, that they found 
the Rev. Rector at home, delivered to him the letter of which they were 



38 



the bearers; that he read it and said, that it was impossible for him to 
reply immediately. — Whereupon, 

Foted:—Tha.t the Proprietors approve of the doings of the Wardens 
and Vestry and of their Committee, and do accept their Reports. 

The Report ot the Committee on the correspondence between the 
Rev. Rector and the Senior Warden, and on the letters of the Rector to 
the Committee and to the Proprietors in relation thereto, &c. which 
Report was made to the Proprietors at their meeting of the 23d ult 
an attested copy whereof has been transmitted to the Rev. Rector, was 
then taken up. 

It was moved that, when the question on the acceptance of said 
Report is taken, it shall be by yeas and nays, which motion was 
negatived. 

On the main question being then taken, the Report was accepted. 
Whereupon: — 

Voted:— the sense of this meeting, that the difficulty subsisting 
between the Rev. Dr. Jarvis and the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church 
in Boston, is not in any degree removed; that the controversy has pro- 
ceeded to such lengths as to preclude all hope of its favourable termi- 
nation, and of his future usefulness; and that a dissolution of the con- 
nexion which exists between him and the Proprietors, the Vestrv and 
congregation, is indispensably necessary to i-estore the peace and pro- 
mote the prosperity of the Church: and with the deepest regret for the 
necessity of the measure, it is further resolved: that the proper applica- 
tion be made by the Wardens and Vestry, to the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of 
this Diocese, for such proceedings under the Canons of the Church, or 
otherwise, as will effect the separation of our pastor from St. Paul's 
Church, in the manner .most kind and considerate towards him and 
most likely to preserve the best interests of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in general, and this Church in particular. And to this end the 
Wardens and Vestry are hereby empowered to take all measures 
requisite to effect this object, according to their best discretion. And 
they will make report of all their proceedings to the Proprietors as 
soon as may be after the separation shall be decreed. 

Voted: — That the Wardens and Vestry be directed to communicate 
to the Rev. Rector the doings of this meeting. The meeting was then 
dissolved. 

Attest, H. CoDMAN, Clerk of the Pro^irietors^ 
St. Paul's Churchy Boston. 

On Monday I returned the following- answer:— 

Boston, June 13, 1825. 

Gentlemen, 

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
Saturday the 11th inst. which was conveyed to me that evening, and 
which enclosed "an attested copy of the proceedings of the Proprietors 
at their meeting of the 10th of June current." As the Proprietors have 
resolved that an application be made to the Bishop for the purpose of 
effecting a separation between me and my parish, it remains only for 
me to meet an investigation of my conduct according to the Canons of 
the Church. This I am perfectly ready to do at such time as the 
Bishop shall see fit to appoint. But as to my joining with you in this 
application as you propose, it is unnecessary for me to say more than 
to express my regret, that your letter should contain any proposition 
from which I am compelled, by a sense of duty, to withhold my assent. 

I am, Gentlemen, with sentiments of due consideration and respect, 
your most obedient servant, Samuel F. Jarvis, 

Rectoi' of St. Paul's Church. 
To the Wardens and Vestry of St. PauVs Church. 



39 



On the Saturday following, June 18th, the Clerk of the Pro- 
prietors sent me an attested copy of their application to the 
Bishop as follows: 



To the Rt. Rev, Alexander Viets Griswold, D. D. Bishop of the 
Eastern -Diocese of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United 
States of America. 

The Proprietors of St. Paul's Church in Boston, and the Vestry of 
said Church, as well for themselves as in behalf of said Proprietors, 
respectfullv represent; that a controversy has arisen betvveen them 
and their Rector, the Rev. Samuel F. Jarv'is, D, D., which controversy 
is of such a nature as cannot be settled by themselves. 

The said Proprietors and Vestry further represent, that the contro- 
versy has proceeded such lengths as to preclude all hope of a favour- 
able'termination, and that a dissolution of the connexion which subsists 
between them is indispensably necessaiy to restore the peace and 
promote the prosperity of the Church. They therefore request that 
the Rt. Rev. the Bishop would, as soon as conveniently may be, insti- 
tute due and regular proceedings in relation to the premises; and that 
the Rt. Rev. the Bishop and his Presbyters, would recommend to the 
Rev. Dr. Samuel F. Jarvis, to relinquish his title to his Rectorship, on 
such conditions as may appear to be reasonable and proper: And also 
to take such further measures relating to the subject as may be just and 
equitable, and according to the Canons in such cases made and pro- 
vided. 

All which is most respectfully submitted by the said Proprietors of St. 
Paul's Church in Boston, and "by tneir Wardens and Vestry in their 
own behalf, and as the said Wardens and Vestry are for that purpose 
authorised, by a vote of said Proprietors, dated June l4th A. D. 1825, 
a certified cojDy whereof is hereto annexed. 

Boston, June 14, 1825. 

(Signed) Fraxcis Wilby, \ Tp„„^„^„ 

Javies C. Merrill, ^ i^o.rdens. 
Stephex Cod 31 ax, 
George Slllivax, 
William SHivr3iix, 

Willia3I Appletox, ^Vestrymen, 

E. Gerrt, J 

George Odix, | 

Hexry Codmax. j 

Copy, Attest, H. Cod3IAX, Clerk, 

At this time I drew up the following protest, which though not 
then presented I insert here as its proper place. 



PROTEST. 



eir 



The undersigned claims the privilege, as Rector of St. PauP 
Church, and ex-ofhcio Chairman of the Proprietors, to enter upon thei: 
records, his solemn protest against the proceedings of that body, relat- 
ing to himself, since Easter of this year, and especially against those 
of the adjourned meeting, held on the ICth day of June 18"i5, 

He protests in particular against the Report offered on the 23d of 
May last, wdiich was laid on the table at the adjourned meeting of 



40 



Jane Tth, and communicated to him by the Wardens and Vestry, in 
their letter of the same date. 

I. He protests in the first place against the committee, who signed 
the Report— in that one of their number, not having been baptized, is 
not a member of the Church of Christ; and consequently, according 
to the provisions of the 40th Canon, is excluded from the list of adult 
persons withm the cure of St. Paul's Church. The impropriety of ap- 
pomtmg such a person, however unexceptionable in other respects, to 
consider questions aftecting the peace and harmony of a pastor and 
his flock, must be apparent to every reflecting and pious Christian. 

II. ^ The undersigned further protests against the several matters 
contained m the said Report as being most unfounded and unjust: 

1. In that it asserts the right of the Proprietors to know, and act 
upon, what he has solemnly declared to be a private correspondence, 
having reference only to private concerns; and refuses to comply with 
his reasonable and proper request, that the letter of the 9th of April 
should be returned to him as its proper owner. 

In that it asserts that the letter aforesaid contains the evidence 
of ieelings in him tOAvards \\\& pai-ishioners highly important for them 
to know; thus contrary to the Gospel making the end to sanctify the 
means; — (Rom. iii. 8.) justifying an individual for betraying the confi- 
dence reposed in him; and confounding the small number of Proprie- 
tors who have hitherto managed the temporal affairs of the Church, 
with the whole body of the congregation. 

o. In that it asserts that the Rector appears by th.at letter to be 
suffering under a sense of wrong from the measures of his parishion- 
ers; a charge which cannot be proved even with rerj^ect to a great 
majority of the Proprietors; much less with regard to his /:arishi^7iers 
who could not take any part in the measures alluded to, and who were 
in general utterly ignorant of the sul)ject. 

4. In that it asserts that the hasty'' expressions of a private and con- 
fidential note, written under a strong sense of rude and indelicate lan- 
guage are "harsh expressions involving the v/elfare of all his fiarishion- 
ers;'" whereas it is difficult to conceive how these expressions could 
"involve the welfare" of any of the Proprietors; much less "of all his 
parishioners.'' 

5. In that it asserts his having complained, thereby implying that 
he has publickly complained, of the terms to which he'gave his assent 
at Easter 1824; whereas he is not conscious tliat since he gave his 
assent he has complained either publickly or privately; and' the fact 
that the congregation were utterly ignorant of the whole subject till 
after Easter 1825, affords the surest evidence tha.t he has not so com- 
plained. 

6. In that it asserts that the terms to which he gave his assent as 
aforesaid, are founded on his letter of Dec. 5, 1822, and w^ere freely and 
voluntarily consented to by it; a construction which the letter cannot 
justly bear when taken in connexion with tlie sentiments he expressed 
to the Committee who were sent to him for the very purpose of induc- 
ing him to consent to a reduction of his salary. 

7. In that it asserts of the Proprietors that by their involving 
themselves in an expense unequalled in New England for the erection 
of a Church of which he was to be the pastor, he was enjoying a most 
distinguished opportunity of usefulness and honour, thereby implying 
that he did not possess such an opportunity before his removal to Bos- 
ton; whereas the erection of the Church, in its present expensive form, 
was contrary to his wishes repeatedly expressed to the Chairman of 
their Building Committee, and the fact is notorious that this very ex- 
pense occasioned all the difficulties of the Church, and by its conse- 



41 



qnences involved him in labours of the most arduous nature and the, 
most distressing and painful perplexities. , ^ ^ . , 

8 In that it asserts that the peace ot the Church has received a 
deep wound that the confidence which ought to exist between a pas- 
tor and bis flock is essentiallv interrupted, and that his usefulness is 
sj;reatlv diminished; all which charges confound again the small num- 
ber of Proprietors who have hitherto managed the aitairs ot the 
Church with the flock at large, and endeavour to throw upon the 
Rector the odium of those dissensions which the small number of the 
Proprietors now mentioned have themselves occasioned, and which 
have apparently originated in the unwarrantable conduct of the bemor 
\\^arden, and the proceedings since Easter last, against which the 
present protest is offered. , . . . , 

III. The undersigned further protests against the manner m wnicn 
the Report in question was finally accepted: 

1. In that an adjournment of onlv three days was allowed trom the 
time in which the Rector first saw the Report till it was accepted; no 
time being given him to learn its fall intent and meaning, and no op- 
portunitv of expressing his objections to the same. 

2. In 'that he received from the \Vardens and Vestry who were 
appointed to lav it before him, an answer to certain inquiries on his 
part, in which they expressed the opinion that his resignation of his 
pastoral charge was necessary, and to which they required by their 
Committee, an instantaneous 'answer; a course of proceeding wholly 
without example in any parliamentary assembly, and inconsistent with 
that grave deliberation which ought to attend the dissolution of the 
most solemn and important of all contracts. 

3. In that the meeting of June 10, 1825, at which the Report was 
accepted was unusually small; there not being present, as the under- 
signed is credibly informed, more than 23 Proprietors,— more than one 
fifth of whom were opposed to its acceptance. 

4. In that the majority, contrarv to parliamentary usage, refused a 
call for the yeas and navs to be inserted on the Records: though it is 
notorious that many of the Proprietors have determined not to act, and 
it is doubtful whether this apparent majority be not in fact a minority 
even of the Proprietors themselves. 

5. In that there were persons present who voted to accept th& 
Report, and who were at the same time not members of the parish; 
that three at least of them are openlv and avowedly of other denomi- 
nations, and two others unbaptized, and that of the rest, several are 
known to be either opposed or indifferent lo the distinctive principles 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

The undersigned in conclusion reiterates his solemn protest against 
the proceedings of the Proprietors subsequent to Easter last, as sowing 
discord, where before there was nothing but harmony; as checking, 
for a season at least, the growth of the Protestant i^piscopal Church m 
this State; — as tearing asunder those hearts which the love of God had 
cemented; and as rending the sacred body of Christ which he ha.s 
commanded his disciples to keep unviolated, in the unity of the Spirit, 
and in the bond of peace. 

(Signed) Samuel Farmar Jarvis. 

Rector of St. Paul's Church, Bostons 

Boston^ June 20, 1825. 

In the mean time the Annual Convention of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in Massachusetts, had held its session on the 15th; 
and the Rector of the Church in which Ui.e Convention held its 
sittings, who was the self-appointed preat^^er^ delivered a dis- 
6 



I 



42 



course before that bodj. He spoke of the trumpery of Episco- 
pacy— denounced equally what he called the High Church, and 
Evangehcal or Low Church parties— declared that Bishops who 
m England are Barons of the realnrj, have in America no more 
authority than Presbyters, excepting with regard to ordination; 
and that the people here being the Sovereign, the Wardens and 
Vestrys of the several Churches have supreme authority. He 
therefore cautioned the Convention not to make Canons, because 
the Wardens and Vestry of every Church were independent, and 
v^rould not mmd them unless they pleased. We must bear in 
mind, he observed, that we are in the land of the puritans, and 
it^is in vain to think of enforcing the regulations of our Church. 
The people are a high mettled courser, and if the clergy attempt 
to ride them hard, and make them feei the bit and bridle, they 
will rear and throw them oif. 

It was impossible to misunderstand the object of these remarks. 
The sermon I beheve gave offence to the whole Convention: 
and the attack was so evidently personal, that no one any longer 
doubted the unfriendly feelings with which I had been regarded 
ever since my residence in Boston by that Reverend gentleman. 
It was necessary to mention these circumstances in order to ac- 
count for the following correspondence with the Bishop. 

-TK ^ Bristol, June 15. 1^25. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

■v^r 1 ^^^^ "^^^^ Convention 1 had a communication from the 

Wardens and Vestry, and in belialf of the Proprietors of St. Paul's 
requesting that there might be a dissolution of the sacerdotal connex- 
ion between them and their pastor. The gentleman who brought the 
letter made but a short stay; and though the business required dehber- 
ation, there seemed to be a uecessitv of my doing something immedi- 
ately; and knowing that several of our clergy were still, in Boston, I 
sent a written request, that to save them perhaps the trouble and ex- 
pense of assembling again, they would meet and consult and give me 
their advice respecting the business; and also that you should have 
due notice of any steps that should be taken. It is their o])inion I am 
informed, that nothing ought to be done till 1 am present. The regu- 
lar course I suppose is to notify the Presbyters of the State to meet at 
some future time, and endeavour, the Lord permitting, to meet with 
them. I have determined on Wednesday the 13th of July next, at 9 
o'clock in the morning, as the time for attending to this painful busi- 




-r . , , , I' any thing was done in Boston. 

1 intended to have written this letter last evening, but was prevented 



.1,. n ^' I?^* "^^^ ^^/j' not official, and I kept no cony.-As it was written the day after 
the Convention, I could not well avoid expressing my disapprobation of Dr. G.'s Sermon 
In adverting to the proceedings of the Proprietors, I think I mentioned the pains ceitain individ- 
rT"^ t'^^e V '''''.^"'^ '"J fh^'^'^t^'-' expressed my hope and confidence that 

nl^ '^K^ would require from them a full specification of every charge tliev had against me 
and that he would furnish me wxth a copy of the same, with time to make mv defence. On thi* 
subject, however, I never received any answer. ' «- " un. 



43 



by other business, and this morning the mail goes off so early that ] 
am obliged to write in great haste and omit many things that I intend- 
ed to have written, which I beg you to excuse. 
With very sincere affection, your friend and brother, 

Alexander V. Griswold. 

Rev. Dr. Jarvis. 



Boston, July 4, 1825, 

Right Rev. and Dear Sir, 

I have delayed acknowledging the receipt of your letter of June 
25th till this time, because the course of recent events in my parish 
has been so new and unprecedented. It is not unknown to you that 
the Rev. Dr. G. has had from the commencement of my resi- 
dence in Boston a personal dislike to me, which he has shown to others 
m the disrespectful and injurious language in which he has spoken of 
me, and to myself, in declining all interchange not only in clerical 
duties, but of neighbourly civility.— Of late he has manifested these 
feelings to such a degree, that no doubt can be left on the u^ind of any 
unbiassed person of his nourishing towards me a settled hostility. On 
this account, and on account of the sentiments publickly expressed in 
his sermon before the Convention of the 15th of June, I deem it a duty 
to the Church as well as to myself, to submit to your consideration and 
that of the clergy, whether it will be just and proper for the Rev. 
Dr. G. to give, or for the Bishop to receive, his advice and counsel 
on the questions arising under the 32d Canon out of the application of 
the Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's Church. 

I am. Right Rev. and Dear Sir, your faithful son and servant in the 
Lord, Samuel F. Jarvis. 

To the Right Rev. the Bisho/i of the Easteim Diocese. 

I have net learned that the Bishop ever communicated this 
letter to the clergy. Certain it is that the person thus objected 
to was not deterred from sitting in the Convocation, and that he 
exhibited the sanne feelings there which he has upon all other 
occasions. 

According to the Bishop's appointment, the Presbyters of 
Massachusetts assembled with him in Convocation on the 13th of 
July. It is proper here to insert the Canons which refer to the 
settlement of clergymen, as reference will be made to them in the 
subsequent account of proceedings. 

CANON XXIX. 

Concerning the Election and Institution of Ministers into Parishes 
or Churches. 

It is hereby required, that on the election of a Minister into any 
Church or Parish, the Vestry shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, 
to the Bishop, or where there is no Bishop, to the Standing Committee of 
the Diocese, notice of the same, in the following form, or to this effect. 

We, the CImrch-wardens f or^ in case of an jissociated Rector or an 
Assistant Mnmter, We the Rector and Church-wardens) do certify 



44 



to the^ Right Rev, Cnamiu^ the Bi^/io/i j, or to the Rev. r'-. - rhe 
Prc^'deiit i/' [/le Sm?iding CommiUeej, that (najnb^g //;,- has 
been du.y chosen Rector for Associated Rector, or Assist a ;u jviHiister, 
'^^^ ^^J ef T;; /■arisli, cr church, or churches, ) 

NWiich cei'trhcate shall be signed \vith the names of those ivhn 
cerniy. 

And if the Eishop or the Standing Committee be satisfied that the 
person so chosen is a quahi:ed ?^liriister of this Church, the Eishop, 
ortlie President of the Standing Commitee, shall transmit the said 
certificate to the Secrctai'v of the Convention, ^vho shall record it in 
a book to be kept^by him for that purpose. And if the :Minister elect 
be a Presbyter, the Bishop, or President of the Standing Committee, 
may at the instance of the \'estrv. proceed to have him instituted 
according to the office established by this Church. But if he be a 
Deacon, the act of institution shall not take place till after he shall 
have received Priest's Orders, vrhen the Bishop or President mav have 
itperiormed. 

But if the Bihhop or the Standing Committee be not satisfied as 
above, he or they shall, at the instance of the parties, proceed to in- 
quire into the sudiciency of the person so chosen, according to such 
rules as nray be made in the respective Dioceses, and shall confirm or 
reje_ct the appointment, as the issue of that inquirv mav be. 

No Mmihcer v/ho may be hereafter elected 'into 'anv Parish or 
Church._ shall be consiclered as a regularly admitted and settled Paro- 
chial 3>lin>^,:er m any Eaocese or State, or shall, as such, have any vote 
in the choice of a Bishop, until he shall have been instituted according 
to the office prescribed uy this C lun ch. 

This Canon shall not be obligatorv on the Church in those Dioceses 
or States A\ith whose usages, lav^-s, or charters it interferes. Nor 
shall any thing in this Canon, or in any other Canon, or in anv service 
of the Cuurch relative to the office of Associated Rectors, "apulv to 
the Churcii in those States or Dioceses where this office is not reco^^- 
nized by the constitution, la^vs, or canons thereof. ^ 

But It is to be understood, that tnis Church designs not to ercpress 
any _approbaticn of any laws or usages, which make the station of a 
2^iinister dependant on any thing else than his own soundness in the 
faith or vrorthy conduct. On the contrarv, tiie Church trusts that 
every regulation in contrariet}- to this, wiirbe in due time reconsider- 
ed; and that there will be removed all hindrances to such reasonable 
discipline as appears to have belonged to the Churches of the mos^ 
acknowledged orthodoxy and respectabilitv. 



CAXOX XXX. 

Resrccting the Dissolution of all Pastoral Connection betzveen Min- 
isters and their Cons^regaiions. 

\\ hen any Minister has been regularly instituted or settled in a Par- 
ish or Church, he shall not be dismissed without the concurrence 
of the Ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese or State: and m case of 
his disniission without such concurrence, the Vestrv or Congregation 
of such Parisn or Church sliall have no right to a representauon in 
the Convention of the State or Diocese, umnl thev have made such 
satisfaction as the Convention may require. Nor' shall anv :\Iinister 
leave his congregation agaiiisc their v/fll, without the concurrence of 
the Ecclesiastical authority aforesaid; and if he shall leave them without 
such concurrence, he shall' not be allowed to take a seat in any Con- 



vention of this Church, or be eligible into any Church or Parish wunm 
the States which have acceded to the Constitution of this Cnurch, 
until he shaU have made such satisfaction as the Ecclesiastical authority 
of the Diocese or State may require. ^ ^. , . 

In the case of the regular and canonical dissolution of the connection 
between a Minister and his Congregation, the Bishop, or it there be 
no Bishop, the Standing Committee, shall direct the Secretary oi the 
Convention to record the same. But if the dissolunon ot the connec- 
tion between anv :Minister and his Congregation be not regular or 
canonical, the Bishop, or Standing Committee, shall lay the same 
before the Convention of the Diocese or State, in order that the aDO\ e 
mentioned penalties mav take effect. 

This Canon shall not be obligatory upon those States or Dioceses 
^vith whose usages, laws, or charters it interferes. 

Cj=To this exception iheie applies the reroark in the concluding paragraph of Canon 29. 



CAXOX XXXII. 

Respecting Differences betrvee-n Ministers and their Congregations. 

In cases of controversv between Ministers, who now or niay here- 
after hold the Rectorship of Churches or Parishes, and the \ estry or 
Congregation of such Cliurches or Pari^hes, which conlToversies are 
of such a nature as cannot be settled by theniselves, , the parties, or 
either of them, shall make application to the Bishop of the Diocese^, 
or, in case there be no Bishop, to tne Convention ot tne State. And it 
it appear to the Bishop and his Presbyters, or, it there be no Bishop 
to the Convention or the Standing Committee ot the Diocese or State, it 
the authoritv should be committed to them by the Convention, inat 
the controversv has proceeded such lengths as to preclude all nope oi 
its favourable 'termination, and that a dissolution ot tht; connection 
which exists between them is indispensably necessary to restore the 
ceace and promote the prosperitv of the Church, the Bishop and his 
presbVters, or, if there be no Bishop, the Convention or the btandmg 
Committee of the Diocese or State, if the authority should be com- 
mitted to them bv the Convention, shall recommend to such Ministers 
to relinquish theiV titles to their Rectorship on such conmtions as mav 
'appear reasonable and proper to the Bishop and his Presbyters, or, it 
there be no Bishop, to the Convention, or the Stanamg Uommittee ot 
the Diocese or State, if the authoritv should be committed to them 
bv the Convention. And if such Rectors or Ccngregauons refuse to 
c6mplv with such recommendation, the Bishop and his Presbyters, or, 
if there be no Bishop, the Convention or the Standing Committee 
of the Diocese or State, if the authority should be committed to tnem 
by the Convention, with the aid and consent of a Bisnop, may, at their 
discrption, proceed, according to the Canons of the Church, to suspend 
the former from the exercise oi anv ministerial duties witnm the 
Dioce<^e or State; and prohibit the latter from a seat m the Conven- 
tion until thev retract such refusal, and suomit to the terms oi the 
recommendatibn : and any Minister so suspended shall not be permit- 
ted during his sasnension, to exercise any ministerial auties in anv 
other Diocese or State. This Canon shall apply also to the cases oi 
Associated Rectors and Assistant Ministers and their Ccngregations. 

This Canon shall not be obligatory upon the Church in those btates 
or Dioceses with whose usages, laws, or charters it mterieres. 

Cj-To this csception there applies the remark in the concladin- paragraph of Canon 29. 



46 



The following extracts from the Minutes of the Secretary, wili 
shovv the progress of proceedings. 

Henry Ccaman, Esq. Clerk of the Proprietors produced the Book«5 
of Records, i^etters, and other filed Papers of the^Piw;^^^^^ 

After a consultation it was voted that thp^^. -rU^ 1^ 
be read so far as is necessary ^S'^fuulcount l'Z%mcn^~'' 

As no information had been given to me of the course (o be 
pursued by the Wardens and Vestry, I naturally supoosed that 
.hey would fulhl the expectations excited in the publick mind by 
bnngmg forward a formidable list of charges; thai the Bishop 'and 
clergy haying received them, would require the specifica^.ions 
under tnem; and that time would then have been given mHo 
consult cou,^el and make my defence. I appeared therefor" 
alone and w, hout any preparation. It was a season of the vea^ 
in which no business was doing; and all the principal members of 
the Boston bar were out of town. Happily my friend Mr H„„ 
tingtonfrotn Hartford Conn, was in the'Ly< y '^/^^r.^,^; 
services. And as I found that the Proprietors had impressed 
upon the minds of the Bishop and Presbyters an idea tZ I was 
making an unnecessary delay, I asked only for an adjournmen 
111 the nex aiternoon Being unable howev4r to prepare by^ha 
h?,'-?h fif ^"""■'^d me -till (he afternoon of 

, H K . A 'S'l""' °PP°-°'^'' Presbyter to whom I 

had ob,ected. who said that my asking so much time was an insuh to 
the Bishop and Clergy. 
I proceed with the Secretary's minutes. 

,,-\l^°r'Oiitmr,y/as then made by Mr. Henry Codman in behalf of 
the Wardens, Vestry and Proprietors to the Hp- i • • 

Rector, that he would unite tirem in reauj^tin^'ihe n?o 

ci.ssolve the pastoral relation bet^veen them and' him ^ * 

acSi^rSepjl5;Ss^ySerf';si^^ 

Council cannot property enter upon anv inquiry under 1 11^12^1 C^nnn 



47 



ARGUMENT 

Upon the Construction of the XXXII Canon. 

The Proprietors of St. Paul's Church, and the Vestry of said 
Church, as well for themselves, as in behalf of said Proprietors, 
have represented to the Bishop of the Diocese, that a controver- 
sy has arisen bet^veen them and their Rector, which has proceed- 
ed such lengths as to preclude all hope of a favourable termina- 
tion ; and that a dissolution of the connexion between them and 
him, is indispensably necessary to restore the peace, and promote 
the prosperity of the Church. Whereupon they request the 
Bishop to institute due and regular proceedings in relation to the 
premises. 

The Canon under which they apply is the 32d ; but their ap- 
plication is not accompanied with any specific articles of complaint, 
as furnishing a reason for separation. On the contrary, they 
maintain, that it is wholly unimportant to shew any cause, and 
that the Canon does not contemplate the existence of any charges 
whatsoever, affecting the character of the Rector. According to 
this construction, the bare expression of the will of one of the 
parties to the contract, is a sufacient cause for its dissolution. 
The question is, whether this construction be the true one. The 
Rector feels himself obliged by a regard to his office, and the 
safety of the clerical character, as well as the dearest interests 
of the Church, to deny it, and to exhibit the reasons on which 
that denial is founded. 

The 32d Canon refers to the concluding paragraph of the 
29th Canon, as explanatory of the exceptmg clause to the 29th, 
30th, and 32d Canons. These Canons were passed in 1804, with- 
out the excepting clause; but in 1S08, the delegates of the state 
of Maryland, applied for an alteration of them respecting minis- 
terial tenures, as being inconsistent with the civil law of that 
state respecting the powers of Vestries. This gave rise to the 
excepting clause alluded to; that these Canons should "not be 
obligatory on the Church in those dioceses or states, with whose 
usages, laws, or charters, they interfere.-' And it was with spe- 
cial reference to the laws, usages and charters of Maryland, that 
the concluding paragraph of the 29th Canon was framed; though 
the language was rendered general, so as to embrace ail states, 
the laws of which rendered the tenure of the ministerial station 
dependant on the will of the people. That concluding paragraph 
is as follows: "But it is to be understood that this Church designs 
not to express any approbation of any laws or usages, which make 
the station of a minister dependant on any thing else than his own 
soundness in the faith, or worthy conduct. On the contrary, the 
Church trusts that every regulation in contrariety to this, will be 
in due time, reconsidered: and that there will be removed all bin- 



48 



drances to such reasonable discipline as appears to have belonged 
to the Churches of the most acknowledged orthodoxy and respec- 
tability." The Church, in this paragraph, must be considered as 
entering her solemn protest against all laws and usages which 
affect the security of a minister's station, if he be sound in the 
faith, and has not been guilty of unworthy conduct. She pro- 
nounces all such laws and usages to be hindrances to reasonable 
discipline, and inconsisent with orthodoxy. And when it is ex- 
pressly stated, that this concluding paragraph apphes to the 32d 
Canon, it can have no other than the obvious meaning, that in cases 
of controversy between ministers and their congregations, it is to 
be presumed that charges are brought against the minister, and 
that those charges must be considered as affecting his reputation 
for soundness in the faith or worthy conduct, unless in those 
states, the laws and usages of which are at variance with the 
regulations of the Church. If then, it can be shewn, that the 
laws and usages of the State of Massachusetts are at variance 
with the decision of the Church in the 29th Canon, then the 
construction contended for might be correct,- that any proceedings 
under the 32d Canon would not here affect the character of the 
minister, if no charges are brought against him. But if the laws 
and usages of Massachusetts are not at variance with the regula- 
tions of the Church, then it must follow that the request tor a 
dissolution of the sacerdotal connexion made by the Wardens 
and Vestry does contain of necessity an imputation against the 
minister's soundness in the faith or worthy conduct. 

Now with regard to the laws of Massachusetts, it will appear 
to the Bishop and Clergy, by consulting the case of Avery vs. the 
Inhabitants of Tyringham, Tyng's Reports, Vol. 3. p. 160, that 
they confirm and even go beyond the Canon law of our Church 
in securing the permanency of ministerial settlement. In the case 
alluded to it is decided, and that by as able a bench as Massachu- 
setts has ever known, that a minister settled in a parish for an 
indetinite time, does not hold his office, or as our Church would 
express it, his station, at the will of the parish, but ^* for life, 
determinable only by gross misconduct, and that to be exhibited 
before a special tribunal." 

" The very term contract," says Judge Parker, speaking of 
the word used in the Constitution respecting the settlement of 
ministers, "imports something more durable than a mere tempo- 
rary connexion dissoluble at the will or caprice of either of the 
parties. It is true that Religious Societies are left at liberty to 
make such contract and for such term of time, as shall be agreed 
between them and their minister: but the contract once made, it 
is subject to all such rules of law as govern other engagements." 
— Where "no term of time is expressed, during which the minis- 
terial connexion is to exist," the same judge decides, that "con- 
sidering the established usage of the country, known to the 
contracting parties ; the nature of the duties to be performed,- 



49 



which peculiarly require permanency in office; the solemnity of 
the act which testifies the assent of the mini^te^ and his people; 
it would certainly seem that the connection thus established, was 
to endure for life, unless some stipulation to the contrary should 
be expressed." Tyng's Rep. Vol. 3. p. 169. 

'•If the contract," says Judge Sedgwick, "is dissoluble at the 
pleasure of one of the contracting parties, it must be equally so 
at the pleasure of the other. The consequences resulting from 
such a doctrine would be mischievous in the extreme. Mankind 
are capricious even in their most serious concerns. Would 
ministers who regarded the comfort of their families, or their 
own personal quiet and security, be willing to make a contract 
on such terms?" — Tyng's R. p. 173. — And again: ''If these con- 
tracts are merely at the will and pleasure of the parties, would it 
not diminish much of that respect and reverence with which it 
is desii-able that the clerical character should be viewed by 
the peop'e? And on the part of the minister must not a con- 
sciousness of dependence on the mere pleasure of the people, 
affect that hrmness oi' mind which is essential to an impartial and 
effectual reproof of vice and immorality? And in such a state with 
what prudence couid the minister form a permanent connection^ 
which might be impcrtaiit to the comfort and happiness of hh 
life? I should have deeply lamented, if I had found myself bound 
to give a different construction to the constitution; but I am 
pleased to have it in my power to declare, that I have not a par- 
ticle of doubt on the subject." T. R. p. 176. — 

"It is the duty of a minister," says Chief Justice Parsons, 

O docliorum quicquid esl, nssurgite 
Huictam colendo noraini! 

"to adapt his religious and moral instructions to the various 
classes comprising his congregation. He ought therefore to have 
a kno^vledge of their situation, circumstances, habits, and char- 
acters, which is not to be obtained, but by a long and familiar 
acquaintance with them. Vice is to be reproved by him in pub- 
lic and private; and the more prevalent and fashionable are any 
bad habits, the more necessary is it for the faithful minister to 
censure them, and to rebuke those who indulge them. But if it be 
a principle that his office and support depend on the will of his 
people, the natural tendency of such a principle, by operating 
on his fears, will be to restrain him from a full and plain dis- 
charge of his official duties. And it may be added, that the same 
principle, by diminishing his weight and influence, will render 
his exhortations and rebukes unavailing and ineffectual. And as 
it cannot be for the interest of the people to hold a power, prob- 
ably dangerous, and certainly inconvenient to themselves, I can- 
not believe that a tenure at will, whence this power results, caa 
accord with the nature and duties of the office. And it may be 
also observed, that if the tenure of his office be at will, a minis- 
ter, after a Ufe of exemplary diligence in the exercise of hi* 

7 



50 



oiiicial duties^, may, when oppressed with the mhrmities of age,- 
be removed from office, and be di;nii?.^ed to poverty r' d neglect, 
A consequence of this porver in a parish will be the aeterring of 
Young men of information and genius from entering into the cler- 
ical profession; and de?olv-ing the public instruction in religion 
and morals on incompetent persons, wiihout talents, education", or 
any suitable quaiitications. Thus an ofhce, vdiich, to be useful, 
ought to attract our respect and veneration, will be the object of 
general contempt and disgrace. And an effect of this kind, 
surely every good citizen would wi-h the la^vs to prevent, so 
far as the laws may have power." R. Vol. 3, p. 177, 178. 

Again: '4q forming my opinion I am not conrined to inferences 
drawn from the practice of towns or parishes in the settlement of 
ministers, or from the intent of legislative grants. — Before and 
since the revolution, this question has been considered by the 
courts of law, — and it has been the unitbrm opinion of all the 
judges, who have successively tilled the bench of our highest 
Judicial Court, that when no tenure was annexed to the office of 
a minister by the terms of settlement, he did nut hold the office at- 
will, but for life, determinable for some good and sufficient cause, 
or by the consent of both parties." T. R. p. 179. 

What that good and sufficient cause is, which may determine 
the office, (or as our Church would express it the station) without 
the consent of both parries, the same Judge thus defines: '-It is 
the duty of a minister to teach by precept and example. If his 
example is vicious, he is worse than useless. Immoral conduct 
is then such misfeazance, as amounts to a forfeiture of office. 
I do not mean to include mere indrmities incident to human na- 
ture, and to which an habitually good man is sometime? liable. — ■ 
ISTegligence also, or a wilful and faulty neglect of publick preach- 
ing, or of adrniniitering the ordinances, or of performing other 
usual parochial dtities is such a non-feazance, as will cause a for- 
feiture of the office." T, R. vol. 3. p. ISI — 1S2. 

The settled '-law" of Massachusetts is therefore in favour of the 
permanency of ministerial settlement determinable only by misfeaz- 
ance or noQ-feazance in office. Our canon law requires something 
more. It requires '^soundness in the faith, and a conformity to 
the doctrines, discipline and worship of the Prorestant Episcopal 
Church." A want of these would if proved, constitute a forfeit- 
ure of settlement in tiie view of the Church, but it would not 
constitute such forfeiture in the judgment of the civil law : be- 
cause that does not attempt to deline what soundness in the faith 
is, but leaves every individual to profess that faith which accorded 
with the terms of his settlement, and the regulations of his own 
Ecclesiastical body. If therefore there were no Canon law on the 
subject, an Episcopal clergyman would be on the same footing, 
as far as the law of the state is concerned, with the ministers of 
the congregational or any other denomination. That is, he could 
be removed from his parish only on evidence of immoral conduct 
and neglect of duty. 



61 



I proceed to consider the ^'usages'* of Massachusetts, And 
here it will be necessary to refer the Bishop and clergy to a doc- 
ument which I have not in my possession, but which may be seen 
at the Athen^um. There is however a review of it at pages 256 
and 289 of the 10th Volume of the Fanoplist for 1814. The 
document to which 1 allude has the following title: "Proceedings 
of the Second Church and Parish in Dorchester; exhibited in a 
collection of Papers. Published agreeably to a vote of the 
Church. Boston: S. T. Armstrong, 1812." 8vo. pp. 121— These 
"Proceedings," as far as the ''usages'' of Massachusetts are con- 
cerned, will, in respect to the forms of procedure, throw light 
upon the present case. A part of the second parish of Dorches- 
ter, at first not a majority, but who finally became so by perse- 
Terance, clamour, and the exertion of secret influence, organized 
a regular opposition to the Reverend Mr. now Dr. Codman, the 
highly respectable minister of that Church.— Stories affecting Mr. 
Codraan's moral character, and standing in society, were put m 
circulation. Unwearied pains were taken to obtain a majority. 
Frequent meetings were held to consult on the subject. 1 he 
more wealthy threatened to put their labourers out of employ- 
ment, and to sue others who were indebted to them, unless they 
would vote against Mr. Codman. On the days of the parish meet- 
ings, all the°voters of the opposition were rallied, while the 
frfends of Mr. Codman were overawed by their violence, and in- 
duced to shrink from the contlict. During the progress of this 
state of things, Mr. Codman's opposers gradually withdrew trom 
publick worship till scarcely any of them attended. 

After about a year had elapsed in this uncomfortable state oi 
things, at a parish-meetiog, June 24th, 1811, a Committee was 
appointed to act under the following instructions: 1, To request 
a separation between Mr. Codman and his people. 2, In case 
Mr. C. should decUne such a separation, to propose a mutual Ec- 
clesiastical Council. 3, In case Mr. C. should not accede to 
either of the above propositions, to call an ex-parte council, pre- 
pare articles of charge, &c. fee. To the first proposition, re- 
questing a separation, Mr. C. refused his assent. To the second, 
proposing a mutual Ecclesiastical Council, he answered requesting 
a reconsideration of their proceedings, and if the application for 
his dismission should be persisted in, that the Committee would 
state the reasons for a separation with all the specitick articles of 
complaint against him. 

This gave great offence to his opponents; being considered 
by them as ao evasion of their request. They refused to state 
their reasons and their charges, on the ground that it was impos- 
sible for Mr. C. to be unacquainted with them. Mr. Codman 
utterly disclaimed any design to evade their propositions, express- 
ed his wilUngness to 'unite in a Council, though he saw no neces- 
sity for it, and concluded by insisting on being iVirnished with all 
the specific articles in urniing as a condition ahsoluiebj indispensable. 



52 



/^T 'rPT^^^""..^^^ ^^'^^"^i^^^e warmlv objected, complained 
ot Mr. Codman's -line ot conduct," declined stating their articles 
of charge, Dnt decided nevertheless ^-.hat Mr. Codman's useful- 
ness as a minister of the Gospel in that society, was in their opin- 
w-n K still persisting in his refusal to 

proceed, till he should be lurnished with the specifick articles of 
complaint, the Comraittee after numerous complaints of unneces- 
^ary delay, and various attempt? to accomplish their obiect, were 
obliged tinal y to comply with his wishes, and exhibit a full speci- 
iacation of tne articles of complaint, or the reasons why the 
parish wished the pastoral connection between Mr. C. and his 
people to be dissolved. 

At^ter these and other preparations, a mutual council was called 
who met October 30th, 1811. But the decision of this council 
not being perfectly satisfactory, another mutual council was called 
May 12th, 1812. This council differed from the other, in Us 
havmg a moderator and umpire between two equal Dariie^ in the 
person ot the venerable Dr. Lathrop of West Spnoo-neld. who, 
.or obvious reasons, was requested to attend without^\a dpie^ate 
irom his Church. In this way, the Council became as nearly as 
wa^ consistent with Congregational discipline, analoo-ous to the 
iiisnop and his Presbyters under the 32d Canon of the Protestant 
Episcopal Cnurch. The difference between them, it is not at 
present material to state, unless to remark that the Bishop pos- 
sesses a power, the want of which by the concession of the Pan- 
op ist, constitutes the grand defect of the conoTeirationai system. 

I trust the Bishop and Clergy will perceive^ even from thi^ im- 
perfect statement, that the proceedings at Dorchester have a 
direct bearing upon the questions now before them, a? explanatory 
of the -^usages" of Massachusetts.— If a Congregational minister 
had a right to demand of his opponents, a written specification of 
every cause oi complaint, with time to make his defence, and 
opportunity to consult and advise with tried and trusty friends 
and could positively refuse his consent to a mutual council, till 
his requisition was complied with; shall an Episcopal clergyman 
be debarred this privilege because the Church in her wisdom has 
taken irom the parties the right of selecting a mutual council, 
anu has appointed a standing council with the Bie.hop at their head 
to act on the subject? If this were the case the security of an 
Episcopal clergyman would be far inferior to what he would en- 
joy, it there were no Canons at all, and he was obliged to be 
governed by the regulations of the congregational sysfem. We 
consider Episcopacy, and justly do we so consider it, as a wise 
provision made by the divine head of the Church, for the pre- 
vention of schism and disorders; and -we are thought bv our dis- 
senting brethren, to be somewhat overweeniug in our "'commen- 
dations of our own system. But if it be so inefRcient in guardincx- 
the clergy from unjust aggression, we shall be justly liable to thil 
reproach. The present is m the Episcopal Church cf Mas&achu- 



53 



setts an unprecedented case. It is to form a precedent for the 
future. It is to sway the interests of posterity. PJow then is the 
time to show, whether the discipline of our Church be. preferable 
to that of the Congregationalists. And it deserves the serious 
consideration of all the true sons of the Church, whether any 
measures should be hastily adopted which may tend to weaken 
her claim on the attachment of her members, or prevent that 
respect from others which is always inseparable from an ener- 
getick but mild government, and the equal and impartial dispen- 
sation of exact justice. 

1 have thus stated both the "law'' and the ^'usage'' of Massa- 
chusetts, because the construction of the Canon depends upon 
them. The Church, conscious of her mabihty to maintain her 
discipline, where the laws of the Slate are in oppositi.m to it, 
yields to the necessity, bnt enters her solemn protest ?,gainst all 
such laws and usages as are inconsistent with the permanency and 
security of the clerical station. It follows therefore that wher- 
ever the laws and usages of the State coincide with her rales of dis- 
cipline, there can be no right to construe the Canons in question by 
any practice derived from those States,the laws and usages of which 
are opposed to her rules.— The Bishop and Clergy of Virginia, or 
Maryland, or New York, for example, are bound to such a con- 
struction of these Canons as is consistent with the laws and usages 
of those States. They nre modified or suspended by such local 
regulations. But the Bishop and Clergy of Massachusetts are 
bound to such a construction as accords with the laws and usages 
here, because those laws and usages do in fact support the insti- 
tutions of the Church. By one of those singular combinations of 
human events which elude the foresight of human sagacity and 
seem to sport with the passions and prejudices of mankind, the 
storm of the Revolution has swept away or shattered those ancient 
landmnrks of ecclesiastical discipline which had been established 
in the Episcopal colonies; while, in this land of the Puritans, the 
principles and institutions which they, in their best estate, had 
derived from their mother the Church of England, have been 
suffered to remain, at least upon their statute books, and now 
afford to the sons of the Church a covert from the tempest. 

I have shown that the 32d Canon, by the reference which it 
contains to the concluding paragraph of the 29th Canon, does in 
fact limit its own construction, so as to require that,where local laws 
and usages do not prevent, the station of a minister is to depend 
upon his "soundness in the faith and worthy conduct." It is im- 
portant to add, that this is not a solitary construction by an obscure 
individual, called upon as he is to defend himself, but that it is 
the construction in fact of the House of Bishops, in a document 
published under the sanction of the General Convention. I refer 
to the pastoral letter of 1811, in which occur the following ex- 



4 



54 

pressions explanatory of the general principle on which the 
Canons in question are to be explained: 'We are persuaded that 
ior the sustaining of a competent ministry, every member of 
It, when entrusted with the pastoral charge of a congregation by 
their voluntary act, ought to have security for permanency in his 
station; until removed, after a fair trial, for some error in religion, 
or tor some viciousness of life." 

^ In the judgment of the Bishops, therefore, no competent min- 
ister, whom a congregation have once voluntarily settled, ought 
to be removed from his station, unless for some error in religion 
or for some viciousness of life; nor is he to be so removed until 
atter a flur trial. 

I am therefore, I humbly conceive, entitled both by the law of 
the Land and the law of the Church, to require as a preliminary 
measure, before any question of expediency can be considered, 
^'a fair trml ' on two points: Whether during the live years in 
which I have been Rector of St. Paul's, I have been justly liable 
to any imputation, in the first place, for unsoundness in the faith, 
or, in the second place, for viciousness of life. It is in vain to 
say that no trial is necessary, because no charges are now brought 
before the Bishop and Presbyters; for the Vestry cannot deny, 

i""^ ^'^^Z ^ ''^^ ^^^"^ P^^^^' ^^^^ charges affecting my moral 
and official character, have been made bv members of their own 
body; and these very charges, or insinuations that there are such 
charges, have had an unfavourable influence concerning my repu- 
tation upon the minds of many persons in Boston and elsewhere. 
1 am compelled therefore to make a solemn appeal to the Bishop 
and Presbyters, and to put myself upon my trial. If I have been 
guilty, themterests of the Church require that my conduct should 
be exposed to its merited condemnation. If I am innocent, it is a 
right to which the humblest individual in society,as well as the most 
exalted, is fully entitled, of having his character sheltered from the 
attacks of calumny. The Bishop and Presbyters are bound, \ con- 
ceive, to require of the Wardens and Vestry in the same capacity in 
which they have made application to the Bishop, to exhibit their 
written charges and specitications under the concluding paragraph 
of the 29th Canon, as preliminary to any proceedings under the 32d 
Canon, of which that paragraph is in fact a component part. If 
they say that they have no such charges, then it is humbly con- 
ceived, that the Bishop and Presbyters are further bound, both 
by the spirit of the Canons alluded to, and a regard for the clerical 
character in general, as well as that of the Rector of St. Paul's 
m particular, to require of the Wardens and Vestry, in the same 
capacity in which the application to the Bishop was made, a full, 
explicit and solemn declaration in writing, that thev know of no 
ground for charges against the Rector of ''unsoundness in the 
taith, or of unworthy conduct."— This declaration is to be in du- 
plicate, one copy being presented to the Bishop and Presbvters. 



55 



and the other to the Rector, signed by all their names and to be 
entered upon the records of the Convocation. 

When this is done, and not till then, the questions will properly 
come before them, whether there be in fact any controversy 
between the Rector and his Parishioners, or between him and the 
Proprietors, or Wardens and Vestry: Whether, if such contro- 
versy do exist, it has proceeded such lengths as to preclude all 
hope of a favourable termination; whether a dissolution oi the 
connection between the Rector and his Parish be indispensably 
necessary to restore the peace and promote the prosperity of the 
Church; and on what conditions it is reasonable and proper that 
such separation sijould be effected. . , i 

But on every point, I wish it to be distinctly understood, that i 
ask it as an act of justice of the Bishop and his Presbyters here 
assembled, that the Wardens and Vestry be required to make a 
full and clear specification in writing, of every, even the mmutest 
cause of complaint, which they and the Proprietors may have 
a<rainst me; whether those causes do or do not affect rny moral 
o? religious character. They have asserted in one of the docu- 
ments laid before the Bishop and his Presbyters that my usetul- 
ness in my parish is at an end. Such an imputation is m itselt a 
most serious injury, and may darken all the prospects of my 
future life. There must be some causes for this destruction ot 
my usefulness; and those causes I desire to have frankly and fully 
stated. No step, consistent with justice, can be taken till this first 
and most important measure be complied with; and I have time 
given me to consult with counsel and make my defence. 

I trust it cannot for one moment be supposed that 1 am anxious 
on my own account to have any postponement of the ultimate 
decision by the Bishop and Presbyters, saving so far as deUbera- 
tion and the complete uaderstandiog of the case, is necessary to 
my own reputation and future usefulness. It cannot be imagined 
that in the present state of things my situation can be so pleasant 
or comfortable as to make me desire to prolong it. But it is a 
subject of most momentous importance to the Church; and my 
heart trembles for the ark of God. The questions which now 
demand the deliberate wisdom of my Right Reverend Father and 
my Reverend Brethren are wholly without a parallel. The facts 
on which they rest are most singular and unprecedented. Out of 
nearly four hundred adult members of my Church, there are^ to 
the best of my information, but 51 who are proprietors. The 
whole number of communicants registered by me since our first 
communion, July 7, 1820, when only 26 communed, is 239; of 
whom there were never more than 17 male proprietors. Of 
these one has died, and two have removed. The number of 
communicants at the present moment is 191, of whom there are, 
as above stated, only 14 male proprietors. All the female pro- 
prietors who attend the Church, 15 in number, are communicants. 
Yet by the act of incorporation, none but proprietors have a right 



56 



to vote, and, by common usage in this place, none but male pro- 
prietors have voted; and the? claim the right to vote, eTen if 
thev belong to other parishes and other denominations. They 
alone have the power of settling a clergyniin, and ihey now 
claim the power of dispossessing him of" his living without pre- 
senting any articles of impe-jchment against him. We are accus- 
tomed in thi? country to consider the right of patronage in Eng- 
land as a grievous limitation of Christian hberty. Yet the 
proprietors ciaim a much greater power than that of an English 
patron. \V hen a clergyman is once presented to bis hvmg in 
England, he cannot be removed, excepting for some error in 
religion or for some vicionsness of lite. The clergyman is as 
independent as the patron, and if the latter be vicious, can boldly 
rebuke him without fear of his displeasure. But if a clergyman is 
here compelled to leave his parish when a few wealthy individu- 
als combine to make him, the state of things in this land of reli- 
gious as well as civil liberty, is Air worse than any abuse can 
possibly render the system of patronage in England. 

Under these circumstances it would be disrespectful to the per- 
ception and judgment of the Bishop and his Presbyters were I to 
urge upon them the necessity of caution and circumspection. 
The interests of the Church are as dear to them as to myself. 
On their prudence I fully rely, and to their deliberate judgment 
1 am ready to submit myself. 

Samuel F. Jarvis, Rector of St. PauVs Churck 
Boston, July 15, n25. 



When these remarks were finished, much opposition was made 
by the Vestry to any specification of charges, or any demand upon 
them of honourable testimonials to my character. The former 
Warden in particular objected to it; said it would be an inquisito- 
rial power in the Church to which he for one would not submit: 
that if his minister were a liar or a drunkard he would never 
bring charges against him; and that, with regard to myself, he 
would not say whether I had, or had not, been guilty of immoral 
conduct. Similar sentiments were expressed by others. They 
would not say, whether they had, or had not, charges, but they 
brought none; and it was a wise provision of the Church which 
admitted the dismission of a clergyman without charges. Such 
v\'as the debate referred to in the following extract from the 
Secretary's minutes. 

After some debate thereon, the Bishop asked, whether the parties 
will be ready, if the Council should enter upon the question of the ex- 
pediency of a separation, to meet the discussion. 

Dr. Jarvis said he would be ready in a reasonable time, after the con- 
struction of the o2d Canon was "settled, and after specific charges 
should be brought by the Warden^ and Vestry, 



5/ 



If'eJ'cS^litZ^^^ this Councildo not think 

they have frigM reguire the Wardens and Vestry to make specihc 
charges against the moral character of their Rector. 

The parties were then asked in, and the vote read. 

Dr. jirvisthen requested that a reasonable time might be g»vcn him 
to prepare himself on the question of the expediency ^{^ 

the Bishop adjourned the Council to meet agam in this place on 
Wednesday the 27th inst. at 9 o'clock, A. M.* 

^ Theodore Edson, Secretary. 

The Bishop and Clergy having failed to support me in the 
great object which I had in view, I determined to obfam it, it pos- 
sible, by private mediation. Immediately therefore after the Con- 
vocation had adjourned, 1 empowered three of my tnends to pro- 
pose an amicable arrangement. On one point only did 1 restrict 
them. They were to consent to no terms ot separation without a 
full acknowledgment in writing, on the part of the Wardens and 
Vestry, that my religions and moral character were unsulhed — On 
every other point they were at perfect liberty; so that the Propri- 
etors might have obtained my resignation on their own terms, if 
they would have yielded in this preliminary. The official corres- 
pondence on this occasion will be seen in a subsequent page. I 
shall here insert the testimonial offered by the Committee on the 
part of the Vestry, and the amendments proposed by my friends. 

Articles of separation proposed to Messrs. Brinley, Richards and 
Huntington^ friends of Dr. Jarvis, by the Committee of the War- 
dens and Vestry of St. PauVs Church. 

Whereas the Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's Church in Boston, in 
consequence of events set forth in the Report ot the Committee oi the 
' said Proprietors; which Report was accepted at their meeting- ot the 
10th of June last, and in sundry votes of the Proprietors and Wardens 
and Vestry in reference thereto, have applied to the Rignt Kev. Bishop 
of this Diocese, for a separation and dissolution ot all sacerdotal rela- 
tions between them and their Rector, the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis, D. D. 
agreeably to the 32d Canon of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the 
United States, for which separation and dissolution they previously re- 
quested their Rev. Rector to unite with them in the application, which 
he declined, and therefore a Council was called upon the sole request 
of said Wardens and Vestry and Proprietors, and at several meetings 
of the said Council, the Wardens and Vestry and Proprietors appear- 
ed and the Rev. Rector being present, the Records containing the Re- 
port aforesaid and other documents and votes were read: And whereas 
subsequently the Rev. Rector proposed a separation on terms ot 
amity: Now the Wardens and Vestry and Proprietors, being ever 
desirous of maintaining the respectabiUty and character of the Epis- 
copal Church, and unwilling to cherish any other than the most kind 
and generous feelings towards their Rector, have considered it their 



* Immediately after the adjournment I applied to the Seci-etary .foi- a copy of the proceedings, 
which he readily gave; and from this copy so furnished, the foregromg: extracts were made. 



68 



duty to meet the proposition of the Rev. Rector in the spirit in which 
It was made. They, therefore, on their part, and the Rev. Rector on 
his part, do agree that a separation and dissolution of all sacerdotal 
connection which exists between them, is hereby dissolved, [and in 
tender consideration of the character of the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis, 
D. D. the Wardens and Vestry hereby voluntarily declare, that it has 
not been their intention at any time to impute to him any unsoundness 
of faith, or viciousness of life, and they sincerely wish and desire that 
his usefulness elsewhere may not be affected by the coDtroversy 
which has arisen between him and them, and they freely express their 
earnest hope, that wheresoever he may go, he wi]] be received by all 
Episcopalians, as a faithful and able minister and that the controversy 
which has so unhappily interposed between him and the Proprietors 
of St. Paul's, may not in any degree impair his future usefulness, but 
be regarded as one of those unhappy occurrences, which, however it 
may separate him from his present parishioners, oughi not to be re- 
membered or felt beyond the precincts of St. Paul's.'*] 

The Committee would not recede in the least from the posi- 
tion they had taken, and they were supported by a vote of the 
Wardens and Vestry, directing them to break oif any further 
negociation, on this point of character alone. What were the 
real motives of this conduct it is not for me to determine. 
Whether they were conscious of having at least connived at ihe 
caiumnies of the Senior Warden, so that the pnde of consistency 
prevented their giving an unequivocal ter^^imonjal; or whether 
they wished to screen him from the necessity of thus pubiickiy 
contradicting his own assertions; or whether, under the mfluence 
of strong passions, they had actually persuaded themselves that 
for nearly five years they had totally mistaken my character; 
cert^nn it is, that by thus negatively sanctioning the evil reports 
before the publick, they defeated their own purposes with re- 
gard to my resignation. 

How inconsistent this conduct was with all their declarations 

previous to last Easter, it would be very easy for me to show. ■ 

The spontaneous and publick expressions of esteem and alfection 
cannot but be remembered and contrasted v^ith the subsequent 
vituperation. I have already adverted to the extravagant praise 
of the Senior Warden.! The Junior Warden was hardly less pro- 
fuse or less general in his expressions of personal attachment. 
Even after the difficulties had commenced, and he had begun to 
take the course which he has since pursued, he used the ioUow- 
ing expressions: ^^Dr. Jarvis has been a most delightful pastor to 
me; and if there is a man in St. Paul's who ought to feel grateful 



Fortlie part included m brackets my finends proposed the following amendment but without 
success;- 'and injustice to the character oi tiie Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis. D. D., the Wardens and 
\ esuy hereby vo untarily declare, that m their intercourse ^^ith him, either as their pastor, or as 
^, I'f 7 tl'ey, have never discovered any g^iouuds to impute to him unsoundness 

jn tne tiiitli, or unworthy or immoral conduct;-but liiat he has ever discharg-ed his duties among 
them ab an honest mab, a sincere fnend, and faitlifV.l minister of their Church,-andin the separ- 
ation which IS now about to take place, they freely declare, that they know nothing.- which can 
^ ""fUT'J "P"" character, either as a man, a gentleman, or a Christian." ^ 



59 

io him for his instrnctions and pastoral care it is "^Y^^^ . ^ot 
since this difficnitv has taken place, and the Dr. has t^ea ed 
Proprietors so improperly, I think he ntvst leave us, and that it is 
bis duty to go without delay."' On the CommUtee ot conference 
one of mv^friends asked him, ^-Whether it the Proprietor h d 
fulfilled their obligations to me, there 7"^^t^''w, tltn will 
ficuities;" to which he replied distincUy -no -Why tnen wiil 
you not give that testimoniai, which you would have given before 
these diSculties commenced?" Co this no other answer was re- 
turned than a recurrence to complaints respecting my letter to Mr 
Wilby of 4pril 9th. The same quesiion was afterwards put to the 
Clerk of the Proprietors, who made the same acknowle^igment. 

Of the twelve days allowed me for preparation, five were 
spent in this unsuccessful negociation. Mr. Huntington was 
obliged to return to Hartford. It was the season when all who 
could avoid labour, sought for repose. The heat was more 
violent and of longer coniinuaoce than had been known for many 
years. In thi« dilemma i sent an express to Judge F^escoct, and 
wrote to Judge Jackson, who were both absent. Phe former 
was too unweil to aid me; the latter klndiy ofTered to assist me 
as chamber counsel, though he could not depart from the rule 
he had prescribed to himself of not appearing m publick as an 
advocate. He patiently heard all the documents, and read the 
remarks 1 had submitted to the Convocation, which he w'as 
placed to say, seemed to him unanswerahle. His letter on this 
subiect, which was my guide in the subsequent course before the 
Bishop and Clergy, but which could not for obvious reasons be 
produced as a pablick document, is now presented. 

Boston, July 24, 1825. 

Dear Sir, , , , - 

The ^tate of the weather and my own health have maae it 
necesslrv for me to return to Nahant tins evening I regre^^^^^^^^^ 
account of some engagements here-but for none that aie moie inter 
estin... than that on ^v•hich we conversed yesterday. 

I intend to return the moment the weather will X ' 1? on vcm 
should be before Wednesdav morning, I will immediately call on you 

I have read again the 32d Canon, with your argument upon its con= 
smiction; and tiiough it would be presumptuous in me on such a cui^ory 
view of the subject, to express an opmion opposed to thai ct the ec^ 
clesiastical tribunal, who have jurisdiction m the ^^f^^^^ ' ^ 
have not decided the question, ! should say /^^^r to vouJ oral 
unanswerable. In speaking oi your argument, 1 
account of the origin and history ot the Canon, as well as to the ^^rlt 

'The ai^ument, though susceptible of much enlargement and illus- 
tration, mav be briefly stated thus:— ^r. 
The canon is not obligatory in those States, with whose usages or 

^^Bv tV^tSages and laws of Massachusetts, there is no tribunal that 
has ^ power to dissolve the connection between a minister and his 
congregation, against his wiil, unless for some fault on his pai t, anfl 



60 



every settlement of a minister is presumed to be for life, unless other- 
wise expressed m the contract of settlement. 

It is also contrar^r to the spirit of the Church government and disci- 
phne, that the station of a minister should be "dependent on anything 
else than his own soundness in the faith, or worthy conduct." 

It IS therefore not required nor permitted by the 32d Canon, nor is it 
allowable by the laws of Massachusetts, nor by the discipline of the 
Church, that a minister should be dismissed against his will, unless for 
some fault committed by him. 

I ought perhaps to add, that Ecclesiastical councils in our Congre- 
gational Churches do, I believe, sometimes recommend a separation 
between a Minister and his congregation, even when there is no 
ground on which they can lawfully decree or oj^der such a separation. 
In such a case, however, I apprehend that the recommendation would 
be very different trom that which is mentioned in the 32d Canon. If 
such a recommendation were manifestly just and reasonable in all its 
terms, as between the parties; and if it tended to the peace and welfare 
of the Church, and was in accordance with the general spirit of its dis- 
cipline; it might perhaps be deemed a new fault in the minister to re- 
fuse to comply with it, and this might furnish the foundation of a new 
charge and a new trial before an ecclesiastical tribunal. I need hardly 
add, thftt in case of a recommendation, such as here supposed, for a 
separation without any fault in the minister, the utmost care should be 
taken that no imputation should remain on his character; and that a 
suitable provision should be made as to his pecuniary claims on the 
congregation. 

I don't mention this point, as supposing it can be needful in the pre- 
sent case, but only to show that it has not been overlooked, and that if 
such a recommendation is ever allowable by the laws of Massachu- 
setts, it has not the force of a command or decree, and cannot be fol- 
lowed by any penalty like the recommendation so called, in the 32d 
Canon. 

I am. Dear Sir, with much respect, your obedient servant, 

„ ^ Charles Jackson. 

Hev. Dr. Jarvis. 



How much reason I had to fear the operation of the 32d 
Canon, will appear from the following correspondence. The 
Bishop accepted the invitation of one of the most active members 
of the opposition, to stay at his house. This situation exposed 
him to the danger of being influenced by ex-parte statements. 
That he was so, however unconsciously, will appear from his 
letter. 



„ Bristol, July 20ih, 1825. 

Rev. and dear sir. 

The unpleasant and critical situation of St. Paul's Church, and 
your own painful state of anxiety and suspense have dwelt very much 
upon my mind, and were not my thoughts diverted from the subject by 
deep domestic sorrows, would give me still greater concern. I doubt 
not your being supported by the testimony of a good conscience; and a 
full trust that the Lord will guide and direct you in that which shall be 
eventually most to his own glory, and vour best good; yet the appre- 
hension that the Church which you have nourished with such diligence 
and care, may soon be scattered and lost; and the strange fact that 
those highly respectable gentlemen, who so lately were vour arden^ 



61 



friends should now appear as your opponents, must surely cause you no 
littlfpain Y^^ Clerical brethren f doubt not, some o them I am 
veiT Fure' deeply sympathize with you. During my visit there m June, 
a^d^a tei 4 Surn, I Indulged the hope that the present unhappy state 
of thinS would oe avoided; that by some small concessions and relaxa- 
tion n poto of httle or no importance, and a frank and meek deport- 
ment you would be able to heal the breach, regain tne confidence of 
tTe people, and restore the Church to its prosperous state. \\ hether 
or not my views were unreasonable, the season for this now seems to 
be past. The question remains, Wliat is now to be done ? My peculiar 
situation prevents my advising with that tieedom which I otherwise 
should do^ That we are bound to follow after the things which make 
for peace; that to harbour resentment, or an miforgiving spirit is total- 
ly at variance with our profession; you are not to be taught. But I 
doubt not that you have found, what experience has long since taught 
me that it is infinitely easier to maintain a sound taith and an orthodox 
system, than to attain to the meekness and humility— to tne forgivmg 
spirit— the self-denial and pure charity whicn are chiefly characteris- 
tic of a true christian. Trials, such as yours now present call for the 
exercise of these graces It is in such conflicts that the cnristian truly 
shines. Is it not still possible, that by the exercise oi these, some 
amicable adjustment of the present difticulties niay be effected;* Even 
if a separation is not to be prevented, is it not tar better for your own 
credit; for your peace of mind, and chiefly for the honour of relig- 
ion and the good of that noble parish in which you must feel deeply 
interested, that you should part with them all in peace and labour to 
unite them together in harmony and love? 1 his with the blessing of 
God must still be very much within your power. But if the course ot 
this business is to continue as it has commenced, till decided as the 
canon directs, I shall expect, and as far as becomes me, must require, 
that the parties concerned will be in complete preparation to bring the 
business to a speedy issue. On your part I should suppose (without 
presuming to dictate) that you must take one ot three grounds^; either 
first deny the existence of such a controversy between yourself and 
the parish, as the canon contemplates; or, admitting this, deny the 
necessity of a separation; or, if vou are convinced that the connection 
must be dissolved, show (if such be your conviction) that the evil has 
but in part, or not at all, happened through your fault or nt^gligence. 
And why should you not (the sooner the better) let the other party 
know with frankness and candour, on what ground your defence (if I 
may so name it) is to be rested? I see not but the operation must be m 
eveiT respect to your advantage. My own ill health has prevented 
my writing you on this subject immediately after my return. Whether 
it will be permitted me to see Boston next week is uncertain; my in- 
tention is to be there at the time appointed. We have need at this 
time especially to pray that the Lord will turn from us the evil which 
we most justly have deserved- Perhaps we have been too much elated 
and vainly confident in the prosperity of that Church. Wliether his 
purpose be to humble our pride, or whatever end the Lord has in view, 
our prayer must be, His will be done. 

Your very aff'ectionate friend and brother, 

Alkxander V. Griswold. 

Rev. Dr. Jarvis. 

Boston, July 22c?, 1825". 
Right rev. ais^d dear sir, . 

Your letter of the 20th inst. has been received, and 1 am grate- 
ful to you for bestowing so much thout^ht upon me, while you are bow- 
ed down by such heavy sorrows. There are expressions however ia 



62 



L vnn ^^"/^^J^s^Afy the apprehensions! had farmed, that situated 
of fhP M m Boston, it would be difficult for you to keep clear 

ot the suspicion that I have not conducted with propriety, 
our flwfi t/^^ afflictions with which we are visited that even 

^^w f^t '"^"^ ^V'^u"' co^'fidence in our integrity and wisdom, 

tith'if fji'bearance. That a minister should contend 

F^nerfA /"^^^^P^'^sh, has upon the face of it an unpleasant asi)ect. 
ft^vfnnP i -h'- '^^^^"^ t^ contend, are men of 

of1^l Tf "''^'^"';;^i'5^^ar amiable in the orainarv intercourse 

hid hP.n '^^^'^ acquainted with all the ciicumstancts and 

been on the spot to witness the violence with which i h.d b'en 
assailed, you woula I am sure do me. the justice to acknowiease U-t 
firmir^^. r^P"'^"^ untamed temper, but have quietly thc-u-h 
firmly resisted an unprovoked ageression. 

«n;if^"5''^^!'^^''^ ^^'^^ ^^^^y ^^'^'o'^l^^^'e attacked me, could have been 
.-f^ ^"^"w P ^m^gi^'e. William Appleton I did love and 
do still love; and I believe, if his generous nature were uninfluenced 
wL i ""^^ ^^^^^^ vou left town, an attempt 

was made to bring about an amicable settlemen., and if William Ap- 
pleton had alone been concerned, I am sure it would have been effect- 
^. but alas, you know not the persons with whom I have had to deal. 
It you did, you would not have been led to think me wanting in frank- 
W ^S''' >;°^V ^'°';ds imply. When ha^ e I ceased to fol- 

low after the things which make for peace? When have I harooured 
vnn fi Ti O^^jf^^^^" an unforgiving spirit? What evidence have 
}ou that 1 ani not disposed to part in peace, or to labour to unite mv 
congregation m harmony and love? I can readily imagine that such 
representations have been made; but will my Bishop believe tht m? 

The parties who have deteraiined to separate me from my flock, have 
never treated me with candour. It was their business to teil me frank- 
ly their wishes, and it was my right to be furnished with a specifica- 
tion of the grounds of complaint. If this had been done I shcSld have 
been prepared. But no information was given me, and I was led to 
inter that they had very serious charges to bring. In this way I was 
taken unprepared, and have been obliged to toil, during these drekfully 
oppressive summer days, to prepare for my defence next Wednesday. 
At this season none of the principal gentlemen of the bar are in town. 
It is a season of general relaxation. I cannot therefore obtain 
counsel; a privilege which the meanest culprit is allowed. I must 
appear before you, after a season of most oppressive and enervatine 
weather, with no human aid to rely upon. VVill you, under these cir- 
cumstances, seriously advise me to put myself in my enemies' power 
by disclosing to them the course I intend to pursue? And will my 
Bishop call it frankness and candour to do so? I do not wish to utter a 
reproach against them. I would not injure a hair of their heads if I 
had It m my power. But shall I, when they are using every means to 
injure me, expose myself defenceless to their assaults? My dear 
Bishop, I beseech you not to suffer an undue bias to warp your iude- 
ment. 1 deserve to be supported by you and my brethren.' I am not 
J^'^I^PP?!'^- ^i^^''^ no desire to remain the Rector of St. Paul's. But 
the o2d Canon has not, I am fully persuaded, any binding force in xMas. 
sachusetts I have a right to make my own terms of separation with 
these gentlemen. They have deprived me of much, and they want 
still to deprive m.e of my rights. 

Let them come forward like christians and like gentlemen, recal 
their application to the Bishop, do me justice as regards the character 
I have sustained m Boston, and my usefulness as a parish minister— and 
give me an equitable remuneration for the great sacrifices they have 
caused me to make, and I have not the least objection to resign mv 



65 



Rectorship I have never had any other object from the beginning of 
'"T,l'"li dear Sir, very faithfully you-bedient ^son^and 



servant, 



On the 27lh of July, the Convocation met accordmg to adjourn- 
ment. Mr. Huntington kindly left his business m Harttord, and 
came to Boston for the purpose of aiding and defending rne. 1 he 
foilowin- protest was presented aad read; after which it was 
supported by Mr. Huntington in a learned and able argument. 

PROTEST 

Jgainst the operation of the 32d Canon, in the State of Massachusetts. 

The undersianed Rector of St. Paul's Church acting in the presence 
of God appealing- to the Searcher of all hearts for the integrity of his 
motives, ind caiimg upon the whole Church to witness his entire and 
uniform submission to her authority, feels it ^^'t^^^^^.^f' 
solemnly to protest against any proceedings of the Bishop and his 
Presbyters, under the 32d Canon of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
in the" United States of America. 

1. Because the said Canon passed in 1804 to effect a specia purpose, 
was in 1808 so far modified by the authority which enacted the same, 
as to release from the obligation of it, all those btates with whose laws 
and usages, as well as all those particular Churches in the same, with 
whose Charters, it should interfere. , . tvt - tvt 

II Because by this exception the very Church at NewarK, New- 
Jersev for the case of which it was originally framed, is now, by the 
excepting clause, precluded from acting under it; the Charter of that 
Church providing that the Rector is settled for life, and not removable 
at the will of the Vestry. , . v ui 

III Because there are no precedents under this Canon applicable 
to the present case; none by which it can be shown, that a Rector is 
removable from his Church under the provisions of this Canon, unless 
it be in those States in which, by the laws of the land, he is removable 
at the will of the Vestry. . , v. i 

IV Because the 32d Canon do.es interfere with the laws, and usages 
of Massachusetts, in the same degree in which it mterxeres \yith the 
laws of Maryland and South-Carolina; and as it is not in force in those 
States, so neither can it be in force here. ^ ^ , . 

V Because it interferes with the rights of the Rector, secured to 
him' by the laws of the State in which he lives; and to act under it 
will be a violation o« the part of the Bishop and Presbyters oi those 

^^^VI^' Because the Canon, at its first enactment, was not approved but 
was reluctantly assented to by the Bishops, from its supposed necessity 
to meet the case of the Church at I^ewark; and was continued in IbOb, 
' . without opposition from them, for reasons which do not applv m this 
State, as a necessary, but as they hoped, only a temporary evil. 

VII. Because there are other modes provided by which the Vestry 
or Congregation of St. Paul's Church can bring their Rector to trial 
before the Bishop and his Presbyters, and can oblige him to reimquish 
his station, provided he has been justly liable to evil report, for error 
in religion or viciou sness of life. 



64 

The undersigned in conclusion begs leave to express his entire con- 
fidence in the wisdom, justice and equity of the Bishop and his Presby- 
ters; and his full persuasion that nothing in this Protest will be so con- 
strued, as to leave' any suspicion that he wishes to evade a full investi- 
gation of his conduct. 

Samuel F. Jarvis, Rector of St. Paul's Church. 
Boston, Juki 27, 1825. 

The reading of the protest, and the subsequent debate upon it, 
occupied the whole morning. In the afternoon, the question was 
taken whether the Bishop and Clergy were authorized to act in 
Massachusetts under the 32d Canon. There were nine Presby- 
ters present. Of these two voted in the negative, and two, not 
having had time to make up their minds, gave blank votes. They 
stood therefore as four to five. The Presbyter to whom I had 
objected voted in the affirmative. 

The question having thus been decided, that the 32d Canon is 
binding upon the Church in Massachusetts, nothing remained for 
me but to make my defence on the application of the Wardens 
and Vestry under it, as follows: 

DEFENCE. 

In the remarks I am now about to offer in reply to the appHca- 
tion of the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Paul's Church for the 
dissolution of the pastoral relation between me and the people 
committed to my charge, my object will be, not to accuse them, 
but to defend myself 1 shall not willingly say any thing which 
can justly give offence even to those who have been most active 
against me, and have most endeavoured to injure me. I am not 
conscious that I leel towards them otherwise than as a Christian 
or a Christian minister ought to feel. Whatever may have been 
my errors and fiulings, a want of love for my parishioners, even 
for the very gentlemen who now appear against me, cannot just- 
ly be laid to my charge. By their proceedings since Easter last, 
they have injured me most deeply; but I shall never cease to 
pray that they may be forgiven, and that I also may receive for- 
giveness of my offences at the hand of my Heavenly Father, as 
1 forgive them the trespasses they have committed against me. 

With such views, and under the influence of such feelings, I 
shall now endeavour to show to the Bishop abd his Presbyters, 
how defective is the evidence before them concerning the ques- 
tions of facts which would arise under the 32d Canon, even if 
they were permitted by the law of M;issachusetts to act under it 
on the present occasion. 

I. In the first place, there is no evidence before the Bishop 
and his Presbyters that there is such a controversy as the 32d 
Canon contemplates. 

The title of the Canon is "respecting the differences between 
ministers and their congregations." The first question then is, 



65 



Who are the Congregation with whom a minister can have any 
diflferencer They arelhe adult persons within his cure; and the 
40th Canon defines the acts hy which adult person=^ are to be so 
quaUtied. They are to be placed by the minister on his list, but 
he is forbidden to place any on his list, unless they have, first, been 
baptized in the Protestant Episcopal Church, or secondly, having 
been otherwise baptized, have been received into the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, either by contirmation, or receiving the com- 
munion, or some other joint acts of the parties and of an EpiscT»- 
pal minister, by which the former have attached themselves to 
the Protestant Episcopal Church. The "congregation," therefore, 
contemplated by the 32d Canon, consists of all the adult persons 
who have been placed on the minister's list according to the 
limitations above 'mentioned. Now in St. Paulas Church, there 
are nearly 400 adult persons who have so attached themselves to 
it. Will it be affirmed lhat there is any difference between me and 
more than seven-eighths, nay even nineteen-twentieths, of this 
Congregation? Such an aiiirmation, were ii made, would be on the 
face^of^'it, absurd. The Congregation has been formed by me 
during the last five years. In this land of perfect religious liberty 
where every man has a right to attend publick worship where he 
pleases and as long as he pleases, the very continuance of the 
Congregation on my ministrations, atfords a strong presumptive 
evidence that they are attached to me. if they were not, what 
have they to prevent their changing their minister? Even the 
new Proprietors of pews, small as their number is, must have 
bought, from feeling satisfied with their pastor. No other idea is 
accordant with common sense. Nothing can overcome this evi- 
dence, but a formal and official declaration of the parties that 
they have a ditlerence with their Rector. 

It is maintained that the Records laid before you are the evi- 
dence of a controversy; and it has been affirmed with great con- 
fidence, as if the statement were unanswerable, that Records are 
the highest possible evidence in any case — a kind of evidence 
which cannot be resisted or gainsaid. The position is admitted so 
far as Records testify. But what do they testify? Are they the 
parish Records— the Records of the Congregation? No. They 
are the Records of the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church. The 
Congregation as such have had nothing to do with them. The 
majority of the Proprietors may not even be members of the 
Congregation. They may belong to another religious denomina- 
tion; just as in England, a Dissenter may be a patron of a living in 
the Church of England. Would their Records in such a case be 
any evidence of a controversy between a minister and his Congre- 
gation? They would be simply evidence of a controversy between 
him and the Proprietors; and it is to be remembered that the 
term "Proprietors" is one of which the Church knows nothing, 
which is unfriendly to all her institutions, which, it is believed, is 
9 



66 



l^eciiijar to Massachusetts, and which derives its origin wholly 
trom CongrcgalioDal usages. 

But do the Records in fact present any evidence of a contro- 
versy with the whole, or even with the nnajor part of the Pro- 
prietors? No. They are the evidence of the state of feeling of the 
majority of those who were present at the several meetings; of 
their proceedings under those feelings; and of the conduct of the 
Rector towards them, so tar as any act of his appears upon the 
Records. If the Bishop and Clergy will please to examine the 
Records, they will tind, that from^ Nov. 27, 1820, when the 
numbers present are tirst recorded, to May 10, 1824, being in all 
thirteen meetings, the average number of persons present at 
each meeting was only eleven. The largest number present at 
any one of them, was seventeen; the smallest number when any 
business was done, eight. Of these the Wardens and Vestry 
ahvays formed a large majority. Some of the most important 
votes were passed by nearly the smallest number. The vote, for 
instance, of Nov. 6, 1823, fixing the salary of the Rector at 
,^1,500, which was the beginning of ail difiicuiiies, was passed 
when only nine were present, of whom seven belonged to the 
Vestry. The vote of April 19, 1824, when the dissatisfaction 
with the Rector was tirst openly manifested, was passed when 
only eleven were oi asent, of whom one certainly, if not more, did 
not approve '.he mecisoro/^' 

With regard to the RecurJs after the 10th of May 1824, that 
is, for the present year from April 4th to June 10th 1825, as the 
number of persons present is noc recorded, I have it not in my 

^Vierf of the iiwnbers present at Proprietors^ meetings in St. PavVs Churchy 
from J\ov. '27, 182'i, -uheii the numbers present are first recorded, to JMay 
10, 1824, the last in rohich the mimber present are recorded. 



a -I 

g.S I Times of Propriety 



meeunp-s. 



Z i General Remarks. 



? 2 



4! 



1 November 27, 1820, 17 9 

2 ; April 23, 1821, 14 10 'Annual meeting. Two Wardens and 12 Vestrymen elected. 

3 I 15,1822, I 9 7 i Adjournment of annual meeting. Two Waixlens and 12 
I I I Vestrvnien elected. 

December 16, 1822. :14| 8 jThe Rector's letter of Dec. 5, 1822, and important resolu- 
I ^ i ' tions on fiscal concerns of the Church, 

•T i January 5, 1823. ]S_ 7 jl-leport, &c. relative to building- tombs. 

6 j " 28, " ;13 9 Arrangements about pews witJi the Building Committee. 

7 I March 31, " i 5 2 i Annual meeting; stormy, no business. 

8 i April 7, " [11 1 7 j Adjourned annual meeting; two Wardens and nine Vestry- 
i III men elected. 

i "14, " i 8 5 f 

I Nov. 6, '■ 1^ ^ Important vote, laying the foundation of all future difficul- 

; I ' ties. 

11 April 19, 1824. ;il 7 j Annual meeting. Two Wardens and nine Vestrymen 

' I elected. First dissatisfaction. 

May 3, " [l3i 8 jAppioviii^ all proceedings since Easter 1823, including 

I j ' therefore vote of i<o\. 6. 

" 10, " !l2j S I Rector's unqualified assent to vote of Nov. 6. 

Average number, 13J 144 LH- 



67 



power to show how far the Records exhibit the sentiments of the 
Proprietors in general If I am correctly informed, there was a 
considerahle opposition at the meeting of May 23d, and the 
minority complained that they were not permitted to exercise 
the parhamentary prerogative of a free and undisturhed expres- 
sion of their opinion. In consequence of this, several would not 
attend the meeting of June 10th; assigning as a reason that their 
liberties were violated. How far this statement is correct, it is 
not for me to assert; but surely it becomes necessary, before the 
Records are received as indubitable testimony, to ascertain how 
the voles were obtained. Certain it is, that a call for the yeas 
and nays to be entered on the Records, which would have deter- 
mined this point, was refused. It is stated to me, that at this 
meeting of June 10th, when it was resolved to make application 
to the Bishop for a dissolution of the pnstoral relation between 
me and my Church, there were but 2.3 Proprietors present. Of 
these I am told that 18 voted for the measure; that of this num- 
ber, three at least are not Episcopalians, attending worship at 
Congregational or other meeting-houses, and openly avowing 
their unbehef in the faith of the Church; that of those who attend 
at St. Paul's, tv, o are unbaptized, and therefore by the 40th 
Canon excluded from ray cure; and of the rest, that several are 
known to be either opposed or indifferent to the distinctive prin- 
ciples of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

What then do the Records prove? At most the dissatisfaction 
of a minority of the Proprietors, of whom the Vestry were in 
almost, it not in all cases, an overwhelming majority. The 
Vestry therefore were principals in every or almost every in- 
stance; at one time acting in their capacity as Proprietors, at 
another time, in their capacity as a Vestry. 

But it may be said that the Canon contemplates a controversy 
between a minister and the Vestry as well as the Congregation. 
The words of the Canon are, '-In cases of controversy between 
ministers who hold the Rectorship k.c. — ;uid the vestry or con- 
gregation of such Churches or Parishes." Whence it may be 
inferred that if there be no controversy between a minister and 
his Congregation, yet if there be one between him and the Vestry^ 
the Canon will apply. But to this it may be answered, that the 
Canon does not consider the Vestry as principals, but as the con- 
stitutional organ of the Congregation, according to the established 
usages of the Protestant Episcopal-Church. If the Vestry had 
been considered as principals, the title of the Canon would have 
run thus: "Respecting diiferences between ministers and their 
vestries or congregations." The uniform practice in the Episco- 
pal Church in all the States south of New-England is an evidence 
that this construction is correct. Ail persons who by the 40th 
Canon are members of the Church are entitled to vote for War- 
dens and Vestrymen. These are then their representatives. 
The Congregation never meet but once a year, and they meet, 



68 



nol lor the trausaction of any temporal conceras, but only lor the 
appointraeiit of these officers. After this all business is done 
by 'the Vestry, and their acts, according to a well known legal 
tnaxim. are the acts of the Congregation. The custom ot con- 
dning the right of voting to Proprietors, is, as far as my knowl- 
edge extends, peculiar to Massachusetts. In England it is confined 
I b^elieve to Communicants. At least such was the practice in 
Trinity Church, Zsew-York, derived from English precedents, 
previo^us to the Revolution. After the Revolution the right was 
enlarged by an act of the Legislature so as to be commensurate 
with the provisions of the 40th Canon. South of New-England 
therefore the Wardens and Vestry are as much the representa- 
tives of the Congregation, as the members of a State Legislature 
are the- representatives of the great body of the people. And 
even in Boston, whers the Proprietors only vote, the practice in 
its results, is not very widely diiferent from what it is in other 
parts of the Union; because in Christ and Trinity Churches, a 
very great majority of each Congregation own their pews. The 
Wardens and Vestrymen of these two Churches are therefore 
the organs of their respective Congregations. But are the estry 
of St. Paul's Church, the organs of the Congregation? No: for the 
Congregation have had no voice in their election. On the con- 
trarv. owino- to the unparalleled and unprecedented condition of 
this' Church, — a condition in which it differs from every other 
Church in America, the Vestry are only the representatives of a 
small minontv. In fact, they^have, in every instance, as the re- 
cords will show, elected themselves. They are the representa- 
tives of nobody but themselves; and acting, sometimes as Propri- 
etors and som^etimes as a Vestry, they have had the entire and 
irresponsible controul of all the te'mporal concerns of the Church 
Their proceedings and declarations are not theretbre entitled to 
that consideration which is due to the acts of the Wardens and 
Vestrvmen of all other Churches, because they resemble those 
bodies only in name. Their records are merely ex-parte state- 
ments; and cannot be appealed to as any evidence that a contro- 
versy exists between the Rector and his Congregation, as contem- 
plated under the o2d Canon. 

i hope that what 1 have said may not he understood as person- 
ally dis'respectful of these gentlemen. It is only their official 
character of which 1 am speaking. Their standing in society is 
exalted. They are in general wealthy. They are possessed ot 
o-reat intluence. They afford the means of living to many ot my 
parishioners who are' in humble life. By their exertions the 
Church has been built; and they are entitled to exercise a great 
deal of power in the management of its concerns. They have 
exercitjed it. They own the advowson of the Church, and when 
the Rectorship is vacant, they, as the patrons of the living, have 
the rio-ht to present the incumbent. The question now is, whetli- 
er Ihev are to be. not only the patrons, but the visitors of the 



69 



Church; whether their will is to govern, even when it is oppos- 
ed to the law of the land, to the wisiies of the Congregation, and 
to the well known principles and wholesome discipline ot the 
Church to which they profess so nndeviating an attachment. 

II. But, in the second place, if on the aaihority of these records 
we admit the fact that a controversy has existed between the 
Rector of St. Paul's Church, and the gentlemen whose sentiments 
the records express, that controversy, I maintain, has been settled. 
According to the records themselves, the only ditierence, previ- 
ous to the present year, respected the vote of November 6th, 
1823. They alleged that the vote in question was founded on 
the basis of my letter of December 5th, 1822. No record is en- 
tered in their book of any meeting in which they appointed a 
committee to call upon, and to teli me that the condition of the 
Church was such as to make it necessary for me to consent to a 
reduction of my salary. Nor is there on their records the ap- 
pearance of any report of that committee. In both these particu- 
lars their records are defective. Perhaps 1 ought to have asked 
that committee before I began to confer with them, tor a certified 
copy of their appointment, and the object of it. Perh.aps too I 
ought to have conducted all negotiations in writing. But I had 
the fullest confidence in these gentlemen, and such precautions 
did not once occur to me. I had a right to expect, that when I 
wrote a letter which could be justly construed only by reference 
to the conversation whence it derived its origin, the substance of 
that conversation should have been reported. If the committee 
did not, they, strangely neglected their duty; if they did, it ought 
to have been recorded. But it is not recorded, and in the pro- 
ceedings of December 16th, 1U22, my letter of the 5th of that 
month^appears as if it had been prompted by no previous appli- 
cation on the part of the Proprietors. Of all this I was ignorant, 
and nearly a year was suffered to elapse before they acted upon 
the letter thus obtained. When they did so act, I was absent, 
and was totally unconscious of the construction put upon my let- 
ter and the use that was to be made of it. Is it surprising that I 
was averse to give it my sanction? Or could such an aversion be 
justly construed into a disposition to make difficulties? So far was 
i from having any such disposition that I never mentioned the sub- 
ject to any of the Congregation; and it is a fact that the greater part 
of them, and for aught i know, the whole, were utterly ignorant, 
till the disclosure was made by Mr. Wilby, that the Proprietors had 
not complied with their engagements respecting my maintenance. 
I did not even ask of the Proprietors, much as 1 wished for such a 
measure, that they would repeal the vote of November 6th. All I 
asked was, that 1 should not be obliged to give it my official sanc- 
tion. But even this small request was denied. 1 must send them 
a written communication assenting to iheir proceedings. This! 
felt at tirst that I could not do; and 1 drew up a letter frankly 
expressing my objections. 1 showed this letter to a friend in 



70 



vvliose judgment I reposed implicit confidence. He was alarm- 
ed, fearing it would irritate the feelings of gentlemen who were 
nnaccustomed to opposition. At hi? suggestion, and even entrea- 
ty, 1 substituted another which appears among your documents. 
I allude to the letter of April 19, 1824. Yet this letter, mild and 
uncomplaining as it was, tiie Proprietors voted to return to me, 
as not being sufficiently explicit. After some further discussion, 
1 at length yielded to their demands in my letter of May 8th, 1824. 
Having done so, 1 considered the whole difference as settled, and 
determined never, if possible, to think or speak of it again. 

It will be recollected, that the whole of these transactions were 
managed, first by nine, next by eleven, afterwards by thirteen, 
and lastly by twelve persons. Was the controversy then on my 
side, or on theirs? They were resolved to support a vote passed 
without my concurrence by nine persons; a vote which deeply 
affected my rights, but to which nevertheless they required me 
to give an unqualified assent. For the sake of peace, and from 
an unwillingness to jeopardize the spiritual interests of my flock, 
I yielded to their wishes. Where was the controversy? With 
the great body of the Proprietors, there never had been any; and 
even with the few gentlemen concerned, it had ceased to exist. 

But it is maintamed, that 1 revived the controversy by the ex- 
pressions contained in my letter to the Senior Warden. This, 
in my letter to the Proprietors of April 19th, which is among the 
documents before the Bishop and Clergy, I most solemnly denied. 
Having once assented to the vote of November 6th, 1823, noth- 
ing short of an official letter to the Proprietors, or to the Ward- 
dens and Vestry, ought to be considered as an expression of un- 
willingness on my part to comply with its stipulations. My letter 
to Mr. Wilby was a private and confidential expression of opinion, 
drawn from me at a moment of unguarded excitement. There is 
nothing on the face of it which shows that it was an official letter, 
it is neither directed to Mr. Wilby as Warden, nor is it signed 
l)y me as Rector of St. Paul's. 1 ought to be permitted to ex- 
plain my own language and my own intentions. 

III. But thirdly — if my letter had been official, and if the con- 
troversy had thereby been revived, what evidence is there before 
the Bishop and his Presbyters that it could not be settled between 
the parties? The Canon, by its own limitation, is to take effect 
only in case that the '^controversies are of such a nature as can- 
not be settled by" the parties ^'themselves." Is there any evi- 
dence betore the Bishop and Presbyters, that the Wardens and 
Vestrymen, or the Proprietors whom they represent, have ever 
attempted to settle the controversy.?—! forbear to speak of what 
was asserted by one of their number, that the very committee 
appointed on the 18th of April to confer with the Rector, was 
appointed for the express purpose of dissolving the connection 
])etween me and my Church. I forbear to speak of the methods 
takPis of wliich 1 ha\^e ample evidence, to bias the minds of the 



71 



Proprietors who were supposed to be my friends, in order to de- 
ter them from acting in the case. I forbear to speak of the 
unwearied efforts used among the Congregation to keep them 
quiet — and of the aspersions on my moral character which 
appear to have had, at least partially, the effect for which they 
were set in motion. — I forbear; — because my object is — defence — 
not attack. I am confident that when the present ebullition of 
excited feeling shall be suffered to subside, these efforts will be 
viewed with regret by those who have made them; and there 
will then be some returning kindness towards the unoffending in- 
dividual who has sustained towards them the sacred and endearing 
relation of their pastor; and who has heretofore taken delight in 
the performance of his functions towards them, truly sympa- 
thizing in ail their sorrows, and rejoicing with them in ail their 
prosperity. 

Instead of dwelling on the course they have pursued, I shall 
ask the attention of the Bishop and Clergy to my own; relerring 
them chiefly and with very few additionSj to the evidence which 
the Vestry themselves have furnished. 

I first eadeavoured in my letter to the Chairman of their Com- 
mittee to explain and conciliate. But the endeavour was vain. 
All explanations and overtures for peace, were rejected. And so 
determined did they seem to one of my friends to listen to no ac- 
commodation, that while 1 was in New York, he wrote to me not 
to make concessions, because all concessions would be vain. 

On my return I sought for a conversation with one of the most 
active of my opponents whom I then considered as ray friend, and 
in order to take measures for healing the breach, desired him to 
tell me every difficulty which existed. — In addition to those grow- 
ing out of my letter to Mr. Wilby, he enumerated various par- 
ticulars; such as, that I would not alter the service of the Church 
to suit the pubhck feeling — that I preached too much on the 
forms of the Church, — on the Apostolick succession of the Chris- 
tian ministry, — on Baptism and Confirmation — and that 1 baptized 
children too frequently in the presence of the Congregation. — As 
he intimated during the course of his remarks, that the Proprie- 
tors doubted my sincerity, I saw that all future conversation would 
be unavailing, and thenceforth determined to preserve a strict 
silence. — In no case have I since then broken that silence with 
any of my flock for the purpose of vindicating myself; nor have 
] attempted to raise a party, or to bias in my favour a single indi- 
vidual in the parish. 

On the 7th of June I received a letter from the Vestry enclos- 
ing to me the not-yet-accepted report of the Committee of the 
Proprietors offered on the 23d of May, and '^earnestly entreating 
me to consider the consequences — of placing such a document 
with the letters therein referred to, upon the records of St. 
Paul's." — V^^hatwas the object of this? None was distinctly avow- 
ed; but was it not to induce me to resign, without their making any 



I 



72 

formal request for thai purpose? — x\r.d supp^^^lug 1 had done so,—- 
what would have beea the siliiation in wliich I shonid have plac- 
ed myself? — Imputations were afloat in the communily seriously 
affecting my character an(i my t'uture useCuine^s.-— If I had resign- 
ed, these imputations would have been fastened upon me. It would 
have been natural, and even just for the pnbhck to suppose that i 
shrunk from investigation, and that some grievous offence must have 
been committed by me, or ail this tumult could not have been ex- 
cited, and gentlemen of such personal respectability arrayed against 
fQe.— With regard to pecuniary compensation, 1 should have put 
myself completely in their power. I had already sacrihced 
several thousand dollars, for the sake of peace, and by resigning 
I should have lost all claim in right or equity, and have been 
placed at the mercy of their spontaneous generosity. 

Under these circumstances 1 thought it prudent— and 1 acted 
upon mature deliberation, with the advice of judicious friends— to 
ask an ejrplicit avowal of their wishes. This I did in my letter 
of June 9th.— I asked them to tell me whether it was the wish of 
the Proprietors to bring about a separation between me and my 
Congregation, and if so, on what terms they would propose a 
sepa'ration. Or, if it was not their wish to separate me from my 
flock, what they would require from me to heal the wound the 
existence of whicb the report of their Committee affirmed.^ In- 
stead of expressing any aversion to a separation, provided the 
good of the Church should require it, I assured them of my feel- 
ing "a strong desire to meet the wishes of the Proprietors, so 
far as I could do it consistently with a sense of duty." 

What was the manner in which this letter was received? Was 
there any attempt at negotiation? W^ere any terms of separation 
proposed?— On the contrary, the Vestry in their letter of June 
10th, refused to enter into the consideration of any terms, express- 
ed their beUef that a separation was necessary, and instructed 
their Committee hv whom they sent it, to require an immediate 
answer.— I communicate to the Bishop and Clergy, a statement 
of the conversation which I had with this Committee, whicb I 
instantly wrote down, and in which therefore I have preserved 
even the language which was tlien used to me. 

Upon the return of that committee, the Vestry reported to the 
Proprietors, that I declined giving an immediate answer; and 
instantly the report of May 2bd was taken up and accepted.— A 
vote followed, affirming the existence of a ditliculty which pre- 
cluded all hope of my future usefulness, and the Vestry were 
authorized to make application to the Bishop of the Diocese tor a 
dis-^olution of the union between me and my flock. No time was 
<riven for any deliberation on a.subject which required so much. 
The most solemn and important of all contracts was required to 
be instantaneously dissolved; and no security was offered to me 
that I should receive any remuneration for the losses to which I 
should inevitably be exposed. 



73 

This evidence is furnished bj the records and documents laid 
before the Bishop and Clergy. So that even from the repre- 
sentations of the Proprietors themselves it will appear, that no 
attempt has been made on their part to bring about an amicable 
settlement. 

Yet so strongly have I been inclined to promote peace and 
quietness, that^imraediately after the last meeting of the Bishop 
and Presbyters, I conferred with my triends on the question, 
whether any thing could yet be done to prevent the unpleasant 
extremity to which this unhappy difficulty seemed to be hastening. 
In consequence of this conference, I addressed the following letter 
to the three gentlemen therein named, who being sincere friends 
to the Church, but not members of my congregation, seemed to 
be most proper to act as mediators. 

Boston, July l^ih, 1825. 

Gentlemen, 

Feeling- at all times desirous to avoid even the appearance of 
controversy, I avail myself of the suggestions you have made; and 
take the liberty of requesting you as my friends to interpose your kind 
offices to effect, if possible, an amicable termination of the unhappy 
difficulties which now exist in my parish. With respect to the terms 
upon which this is to be done, it may be sufficient for me to say, that 
you have full authority from me to make such a settlement as to you 
may appear expedient; always provided that nothing is acceded to on 
my behalf, which may have the most remote tendency to cast a shade 
upon my character as"a man and a Christian minister. 

I am Gentlemen, with the highest consideration oi your friendship, 
your obliged and humble servant, Samuel F. Jarvis. 

To George Brinley, John Kichards and S. H. Huntington^ Es- 
quires, 

The following report with the papers enclosed, will show how 
unsuccessful was the attempt. 

Boston, July 25, 1S25. 

Rev. and dear Sir, 

In comphance with your wishes expressed in your letter of the 
18th inst. which left the mode of adjustment and separation between 
yourself and the parish of St. Paul's to be determined betv/een the 
Wardens and Vestry and ourselves, we waited upon one of the gentle- 
men of the Vestry on the same day, and agreed to meet a committee of 
conference as soon as appointed: — and we were in session with that 
Committee for a considerable part both of the morning and afternoon 
of the ensuing day. 

We lam.ent most sincerely to acquaint you that the result of these 
conferences has disappointed us extremely, and that we have been 
unable to accomplish the object of all our wishes. 

Your letter having been explicit upon the subject of character, and 
prohibitory of any agreement which m.ight cast a siiade upon it, we 
thought it most prudent to insist in limine, upon "-satisfactory testimo- 
nials." And though the other party were inclined to make an "im- 
mediate separation'' as their basis of negotiation; they were not 
tenacious upon the point, and met us as we wished. The testimonials 
offered by them — the amendment proposed by us — and further inter- 
lineations in pencil which were rejected bv them, are herewith all 

10 



74 



handed to you in the original document;* which will explain the views 
and procee'dings of both parties, and (neither being disposed to recede) 
the grounds also of tlieir breaking off. 

Their offer we considered as unequal to your expectations; and an 
insufficient recommendation to ancher parisli without ulterior explan- 
ation; and in case our opinions might be erroneous on this head, we 
thought it safer to have such a testmionial passed under the sanction of 
the Council than as a precedent by Laymen. — We also thought that 
whatever offence might have been'given by the two letters of wh.ich 
they complain so ruuch; that you were entitled to such a certificate of 
mcral ana religious character tiS they would have acquiesced in before 
the letters were received: and especially as the question of character 
bore no part in the origin of the clispuie. — Indeed, we have found the 
gentlemen so iensiiive upon these letters, that we consider them the 
principal obstacles to adjuhimcnt. 

_ A few words only were said as to the time of separation, the discus- 
sion been mostly conhned to the certificate of character. 

In every instance we were received wdth the greatest civility and 
respect; and the gentlemen made frequent assurances of the painful 
task they had to undergo, — \A'e most sincerely lament the insufficiencr 
of our exertions; and with sentiments of respect and friendship, re- 
main, Dear Sir, your obedient humble servants, 

(bigned] George BRl^-LEY, 

JoHX Richards, 

S. H. HUXTIXGTOX^ 

We also enclose the original note from the Committee of conference, 
and the vote of the Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's, bv reference to 
which, you will observe that our negotiation has terminated. 

i^Sig-ned) George Brixley, 

JoHX Richards, 
S. H. Huntington. 

To the Rev. Sarnuel F. JuTvis, D. D. 

I appea! then to the Bishop and Clergy whether I have not 
done ali that i could to settle the controversy, and whether there 
is any evidence before them, of any disposition, or any attempt 
on the other side, to bring it to an amicable termination, — On the 
contrary is there not every reason to believe, that to produce a 
sepanition has been their settled design from the first; that a dif- 
ference has been created for the purpose of producing a separa- 
tion; and that when thus created, the expression of their will is 
required by them to be regarded as testimony that the breach 
cannot be healed. On this ground therefore the Canon cannot be 
applied to the present case, because there is no evidence that the 
controversy is of such a nature that it cannot be settled by the 
parties themselves. 

IV. I have now attempted to show, first that there is no evi- 
dence before the Bishop and Presbyters of there being such a con- 
troversy as the 32d Canon contemplates: Secoxdlv, that the only 
difference which has ever existed, was settled in 1824 by my 
yielding an unqualified assent to their wishes; since which it has 
never been revived by me: Thirdly, that if it had been so re- 
vived, there is no evidence that it could not be settled by the 
parties. I proceed therefore. 



* For this docnmenT. see p. 57 



75 



1q the FOURTH place to ask, whether the Bishop and his Pres- 
byters have any evidence that a dissolution ol' the connectionis 
indispensably necessary to restore the peace and promote the 
prosperity of the Church. 

On this point I shall be very brief. The 32d Canon was fram- 
ed to meet an exigency which occurred in the Church at New- 
ark, New Jersey, between the Rev. Dr. Ogden, and the Congre- 
o-ation of that Church, and which threatened its very annihilation, 
ft appears from Bishop Whitens Memoirs of the Church, that Dr. 
Ogden had a leaning towards practices inconsistent with the 
principles of the Protestant Episcopal Church. What those 
practices were, the Bishop further intimates by saying ttiat Dr. 
Offden gave evidence of the truth of the allegation by joinmg 
another denomination of Christians. On the 19th of December, 
1804, about three months after the passage ot the 32d Canon, he 
renounced the communion of the Protestant Episcopal Cnurch, 
but insisted upon retaining his Rectorship. After his suspension, 
he became a Presbyterian Minister, and retained a rooted enmity 
to the Church ail the rest of his life.— Such was the dimculty 
which this Canon was framed to meet. I need not ask the Bishop 
and Clercry to consider, whether the present case bears any anal- 
ogy to that which was in the mind of the Convention when they 
framed the Canon. In that case the Congregation were sound 
churchmen; attached to the Church from their mfancy both by habit 
and principle; and were disanected towards their minister because 
his attachments to the Church were weak and unso-^nd.— But 
supposing that the Congregation had been loose in their attach- 
ments to the Church, and their minister a favorite of the majority, 
would such a Canon have done any service? On the contrary it 
would have hastened the catastrophe. The decree ot the Con- 
vention would have been powerless, unless the law ot the State 
had interfered. Dr. Ogden would have retained his parish, and 
the Church would probably have been, like the King s Chapel in 
this city, in a state of irreparable schism. I mention this to show 
the great danger of deserting general principles, and legislating 
for particular cases, and how Httle such a Canon could effect, 
except in the precise conjunction of circumstances to which it 
owed its origin. , t.- j 

In the present instance, what evidence have the bishop and 
Clergy that the Congregation are not personally attached to their 
Rector, and that they will not desert St. Paul's, if he should be 
removed from their head? — 

I trust that neither the Bishop nor ray Brethren will suppose 
me capable of promoting or encouraging such a schism.— But I 
ask what evidence is there before them that such will not be the 
result; and that the Congregation which I have been labouring 
to form for five years, will not be speedily dissipated?— The 
Vestry, it must again be observed, are not, as in all other 
Churches, the representatives of the Congregation, and there«- 



76 



fore do not speak the Qiinds of the Congregation, Neither their 
proceedings, nor the proceedings of the Proprietors, furnish any 
evidence that the Congregation have lost their attachment to 
their Pastor. On the contrary, there is the strongest presumptive 
evidence that they retain their attachment, because they still 
continue their attendance on his ministrations. 

Never was there a happier pastor, or a more united flock, than 
existed in St. Paul's Church last Easter Sunday. My soul is even 
now refreshed by the recollection of the spiritual joys which we 
shared in our communion on that day. — But alas! ttie bright vision 
of that happiness has almost faded from the view; and for me 
there is little reason to expect its returning brilliancy. — 1 wish it 
distinctly to be observed, that I have no desire on my own account 
to continue in the Rectorship of St. Paul's Church. If I have 
any remaining desire, it is only for the sake of that dear flock, 
among whom i have laboured, and to whom 1 am tenderly attach- 
ed. — It certainly would not be a pleasant situation for me to be 
connected with gentlemen who have exhibited such dissatisfaction 
as I can scarcely hope to overcome. They who inflict an injury, 
are generally the last to forgive. 

By the present application to the Bishop and his Presbyters, I 
feel that I am most deeply injured. Ten years had I been in the 
ministry, when i was itid jced by urgent and flattering representa- 
tions of increased usefulness to come to Boston. Every circum- 
stance respecting me was well known; for I had done nothing in a 
corner. With this perfect knowledge of me, I was taken by these 
very gentlemen from an honourable situation, and with a charac- 
ter unbiemisiied — a situation where 1 had a permanent provision 
for life, among those who were tenderly attached, and whose 
regret has been ever since expressed, that I left them — a situa- 
tion superior to my present one in emolument, even if the Vestry 
had fulfilled all their oi>ligations — and immeasurabl}' superior, as 
it regarded the happiness and quiet of my domestic life. 

And now, after five years of severe and unremitted toil, the 
same gentlemen require that 1 should be dismissed without any 
provision for my future support; the very application being inju- 
rious to my reputation, and operating as it must on the community, 
should it be successful, to prevent my future settlement. Will 
the Bishop and Clergy consent to place me in such a condition? 
Are there any circumstances of expediency which can justify the 
infliction of so much personal wrong? — If I have been guilty of 
immoral conduct or neglect of duty, I refuse not to suffer. The 
interests of the Church require that 1 should sufl'er. But if I 
am innocent, will my Right Reverend Father, ^and my Reverend 
Brethren sacrifice all that is dear to me, to gratify the irritated 
feelings of a few influential gentlemea in my parish? — I cannot 
for one moment believe it. They will sure!}' dismiss the appli- 
cation. They will not interfere with the rights which I possess. 
They will leave it to me to settle my own terras, in the event of 



77 



a separation, us is usual in those States and those Churches in 
which the laws or charters provide for the perraanencv ot minis- 
terial settlement. 

Samuel F. Jarvis, Rector of St. PuuVs Church. 
Boston, July 27th, 1825. 

After this Defence was read, and immediately before adjourn- 
ment, permission was asked on the part of the Wardens and 
Vestrj to be furnished with that and the other papers presented 
hy me, for the purpose of preparing an answer. Accordingly 
the next morning, the following answer was presented. 

The Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's, in reply to the Rev, Dr. Jaryis' 
defence, refer to the facts which have appeared in this investigation. 
They think the defence needs no other answer. 

It was asserted at the first session of the Convocation that the 
Records were in themselves sufScient evidence of a coiitroversy; 
and that the Wardens and Vestry intended to bring no other. 
My defence, therefore, turned upon the insufficiency of this evi- 
dence, as 1 conceived that the burthen of proof lay upon the 
Proprietors. But immediately after it had been read, a pro- 
posal was made on the part of the Vestry to introduce evi- 
dence in, support of the Records. And what evidence was 
introduced? The witnesses were the Wardens and Vestry them- 
selves! — the very persons who had framed the Records, and 
who were the parties concerned! 1 was surprised, 1 confess, that 
this irregular course was permitted; but I would not object to 
it, because I hoped in that Avay to obtain what I had vainl}' 
sought for in the regular manner, I hoped that the witnesses 
when under oath would be obliged to do, what they had 
hitherto successfully avoided, — declare explicitly whether they 
had any charges against me atfecting my character. 

My hopes were not disappointed. The Junior Warden — whose 
hints and vague expressions had produced an impression upon 
the publick that there was something untold and unexplained, 
which as my friend it was his duty to conceal, and who had thus 
excited suspicions which did more injury than direct and open 
accusations; — the Junior Warden being asked the following ques- 
tion by one of the Presbyters, "Do you know of any error in re- 
ligion or viciousuess of life in the Rector?" answered, ''No: noth- 
ing." And on the cross-examination being asked "What he 
meant when he had said that it would be better for Dr. Jarvis to 
avoid an investigation?" he answered that he meant only to say 
that Dr. Jarvis, as well as any other clergyman, would lose some- 
thing in public estimation by going through such a trial. One of 
the Vestry testified that the letter to Mr. Wilby of April 9th was 
the occasion of the present difficulty, but did not think the letter 
alluded to the only ground of dissatisfaction. He was then asked 
to name the other grounds. In reply he said, he wanted the 



78 



Rector to commence the service five minutes earlier * and make 
it five minutes shorter, which would have gained ten minutes m 
the morning. This would have enabled him and others to get to 
the Post-Office in proper time for their letters— as soon as gen- 
tlemen of other Congregations. 

The former Warden being asked if he had known any cause ot 
dissatisfaction previous to the letter to Mr. Wilby, said that he 
knew of small matters; but whether they would have come to 
this, he could not say. 

The Chairman of the B. C. said he had been absent from 1825 
'till May of this year; knew that the attachment to Dr. Jarvis 
was in-owing less for one year previous to his gomg away, and 
therltore was not surprised to hear of the difficulties;—said that 
in his opinion the difference was irreconcilable, that no recanta- 
tion coold possibly heal the breach, and that for himself it was 
not possible that he should feel towards Dr. J. as he once did. 

On one point, the sentiments of the witnesses were much at 
variance' Two expressed their opinion, that an early arpology 
for the letter, would have satisfied them. One declared that no 
retractation or concession would have altered his feelings; anoth- 
er that none would have been availing; and the Chairman ot the 
B 'c that '4f Dr. J. should have retracted what he had said, it 
would only have left him in inextricable inconsistencies." 

It will be seen therefore that no new matter was advanced by 
these witnesses; no cause for controversy which had not already 
been stated on their records; no cause which had not grown out 
of their own flulure to perform the obligations they had volunta- 
rily contracted, and their irritated feelings occasioned by the ex- 
pence they had incurred, and the difficulty they had met with m 
sellino- their pews. Nothing in short which would justify their 
refusal to give me the testimonials which I had sought from them 
as the only essential condition of my resignation. 

The Senior Warden alone brought forward any charges atiect- 
ino- my moral character. One of the witnesses having stated tnat 
Mr. Wilby said to him, ''If Dr. Jarvis says so, he lies, and he 
knows he lies, and you may tell him so." Mr. Wilby rose in the 
Church, in the presence of the Convocation, and repeated the 
same expressions. He assailed me indeed with suco gross and 
abusive language, that at length one of the Presbyters arose and 
rebuked him, and then turning to the Bishop asked tor an adjourn- 
ment 1 have reason to believe that the impetuosity of Mr. W. s 
temper now brought to light the calumnies which he had so mdus- 
triously "circuhited. These had fully answered the purposes for 
which they were set in motion, on his credit alone; but they 
could not be brought forward as charges unless the Vestry as a 

f:XtVSS s'S^ d^^^^^^^ the ease^hat the Co„,vegation were not dxs- 

missed by 12 o'clock. 



79 



body had taken upon themselves a responsibility which then resN 
ed, and it was evidently their desire, should rest solely on him 
He stated three charges. First, that in the beginning of 1824 I had 
distinctly proposed to him to head an opposition to the leadin- 
members of the Vestry. It was a thought which never entered 
into my mmd, and the persons whom he named as being proposed 
by me expressed their utter astonishment, as this ^y Jthe first 
time they had ever heard of such a design. The second and 
third charges were, that I had tempted him to certain breaches of 
trust with regard to the communion money, and a fund for the 
purchase of books. Ashe did and could produce no evidence, 
but his own declaration, and I happily had it in my power, by the 
testimony ot the Junior Warden himself, to show that it was the 
evil suspicion of Mr. Wilby which alone had given to my conduct 
the colour ot a crime, I think it unnecessary to take up my own 
time or the time of the reader, by dwelling longer upon the sub- 
Itrli } ^"'^ ^^^^ dangerous tempter of Mr. 

Wilbys conscience was the very same Clergyman, in whose 
society he took so much delight, and for the sake of whose con» 
nection with himself and family, he was willing to live the re- 
mainder of his days upon bread and water.'^ 

On Friday evening July 29th, i was informed by Mr. Hunting- 
ton, that the Bishop and Clergy had deterinined to recommend the 
relinquishment of my title to the Rectorship, l^his decision was 
declared to him as my counsel, and to the Wardens and Vestry 
before any consideration of the terms had taken place. That a 
promulgation should be made of a part of the decision, before the 
whole had been formed, appeared to me to be an irregular step, 
and the subsequent measure still more irregular. On Saturday 
morning the Bishop returned home, but recommended to the 
Freshyters to proceed in the business before them. A very im» 
portant question here arises whether the Presbyters could act 
canonically without the Bishop. The distressing circumstances 
ot ins family, mu^t, to every feeling heart, have seemed a suf- 
ficient reason not only tor his departure at that time, but even for 
his not havmg left home at ail; but if it was necessary for him to 
depart, the question is, whether an adjournment of the Convoca- 
tion was not equally necessary. The general principle of the 

?i. i?' ^""^^'"^ ^^"^ the Bishop; and in 

the 5^d Canon the recommendation to relinquish a title is to be 
made "on such conditions as may appear reasonable and proper,^' 
not to the Bishop alone, or to the Presbyters alone, but "to the 
Bishop and his Presbyters," in convocation assembled. Granting 
however, that it was regular for the Bishop to leave the Pre^by- 
ters to proceed without him, the question then arises whether by 
his departure he did not concede to the Presbyters all his per- 



* See note on page 22, 



80 



.onal right of controulmg the conditions^ The '7"~ ^ 
question will more fully appear after the perusal of the corres- 
r ondence which the absence of the Bishop occasioned 
' The Bishop havin? left the Presbyters to proceed without h.m, 
Dr Gardiner was placed in the chair, and the Counsel on both 
^des entered largely into the questions relating to the conditions 
of rewJishrnent.* In the afternoon the Presbyters adjourtied 
Lr^rbut nothing was made known <^ .f-^-'^- t 
ground that their proceedings must be sent 'o/' « B.^h°p to be 
ar,Drcved by him, before any promulgation of them co, id be 
m'^de Tnu's publicity was given to the feet that a dissolution of 
the connection between me and mv parish was o ^ place, 
while no one knew the conditions of separation. n thi» nncom- 
fortable state of suspense did every thing remam 'till the T9th o. 
August On th,t day the Wardens and Vestry received an 
oS communication -from the Bishop and on the ^^^}^^ 

of August to the 29th of September. 

Bristol, August \7th, 1825, 
Rev. and Dear Sir, „„^ov the necessity of leaving the 

Counc^rB^h-fha^S^^ 

Z^U!^t::fS;X!^t^^^'^ -o years from the 
Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis, D. D.^ 



the same motives I declined g.vu)? 'I^LPpi"[^^s fo "pecuniary compensatioiu Whatevev, there- 
Z appearance of makmg any pev^^^^^^^^ equity, grounded on the 



81 



Boston, August 20, 1825, Saturday Evening. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, , ti- i 

Having received this day a letter from the Bishop comrnunica- 
ting to me what he has been informed wasithe decision ot the Council 
respecting the terms of separation between me and St. Paul s Church; 
and having accidentally learned that in consequence ot his absence, 
some misunderstanding must have arisen in his mind respecting those 
terms; I take the liberty of asking from you such a written statement 
of your recollections concerning them, as will enable me to shew 
the Bishop wherein the misunderstanding lies; and also your opinion, 
whether, under these circumstances, it can justly be considered as an 
act of contumacy on my part, if I delay the relinquishment of my title 
'till this apparent misunderstanding be explained or rectiiied. me 
time of resignation fixed upon by the Bishop' being the 2id mst. the 
shortness of the notice constrains me to solicit your early attention to 
this request. o m t 

I am, Rev. and dear Sir, your friend and brother, b. . J arvis. 
To the Rev. Asa Eaton* 



Boston, Augmt lid, 1825. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

Yours of the 20th inst. requesting from me a written statement 
of my recollections concerning the terms of separation between you 
and St. Paul's Church, agreed on by the Council, has been duly receiv- 
ed. My recollections on this subject are, that the Council agreed, 
with the concurrence of the Bishoo, to recommend to you to relinquish 
your title to the Rectorship of St. Paul's, on condition that the Proprie- 
tors pay you the sum of five thousand dollars, exclusive of your salary 
up to the time of separation. I cannot suppose that in the judgment 
of that charity which thinketh no evil, it could justly be considered as 
an act of contumacy on your part, should you delay the relinquishment 
of your title, till it can be ascertiiined what the terms are, on which 
you are advised to do it. Yours truly, As a Eaton. 

Rev. Dr. Jarvis. 



Rev. and Dear Sir, 

In reply to your note of Aug. 20th I can inform you, that, at the 
close of the late Ecclesiastical Council held under the direction of 
Bishop Griswoid, it was asked by a member of the Council, when the 
sum allowed Dr. Jarvis is to be paid? Tv/o or three answered, at the 
same time, that it would of course be fiaid at once, or as soon as the 
terms should be made known. This seemed, according to my recol- 
lection, to make the impression general, that it was so to be paid; and 
I believe nothing more was said upon the subject. No vote, I think, 
was taken upon the subject, nor upon any other question at that time 
discussed — the conversation was rather desultory — when all seemed 
to acquiesce or agree in any particular for us to decide the matter was 
rather dropped without form, than regularly passed. Our chief aim 
was to be unanimous in what we did. 

If the Bishop has misapprehended the intentions of the Council in a 
manner materially to affect the interests of either party, I should be 
decidedly of opinion, that there could be no reasonable objection to a 
delay in complying with the conditions as made known by the Bishop, 
sufficient to rectify that misapprehension, and that such a delay could 
not be considered an act of contumacy. 

Yours, Rev. and dear sir, sincerely. J. L. Blake. 

Rev. Dr. Jarvis. 



* a duplicate of this letter was sent at the same time to the Rev. Mr. Blake. 
11 



82 



Boston, Aug. 22, IS'25. 

Right Rev. Sir, 

From the inclosed copy of the communications received by me 
this day from the Rev. Messrs. Eaton and Blake, you will perceive 
that there is sonie misunderstanding relative to the decision of the 
Council respecting the terms of separation between me and St. Paul's 
Church. 1 regret that this circumstance, taken in connection with the 
shortness of the time allov/ed me, should produce even the appearance 
of a want of compliance on my part with what you are pleased to pre- 
scribe. I am persuaded however that you will be sensible^lrow impos- 
sible it is for me to act otherwise, when yovi know that I did not receive 
your letter 'till Saturday the 20th; and this is the day fixed by you, on 
and after which a dissolution of the sacerdotal relation between me 
and my flock is to take place. 

May I be permitted to inquire without giving offence, whether the 
language of the 32d Canon, or the precedents under it, justify an act on 
the part of the Bishop, so authoritative and so sudden? The Council as 
I understand, expressed no opinion as to the limits of time within which 
the parties should be required to signify their assent to the terms of 
separation, but left that entirely to the discretion of the Bishop. Did 
this render it proper to use the language of a decree, and to decide that 
on and after a particular day all sacerdotal relation should cease be- 
tween me and my charge? If I had been pronounced, upon proof given, 
to be criminal, the Bishop would undoubtedly have had this right by 
the Canons; but being innocent of every thing in relation to my flock, 
save of loving them, and ardently desiring to promote their spiritual 
interests— -(they wi?-! foi^'give me this wrong) — I ask whether it could 
have been expected of the Bishop, even under this very penal Canon, 
to do more than e.ssign certain limits of time, within which the parties 
sliould be required respectively to interchange their assent to the 
terms prescribed. The language of the Canon, 1 believe it will be 
found, Is not that of decree, but of recom.mendation; and in the only 
cases where this Canon has been resorted to, which have happily been 
very few, it has been usual to allow at least thirty days for its provi- 
sions to take effect. 

I regret that this has not been done in the present case, as it would 
have permitted any mistakes to be rectified without subjecting me to 
the imputation of contumacy, whicli sorne perhaps may be inclined to 
impose. It would also have permitted me once more to have adminis- 
tered the communion and to bid farewell to my flock, to visit some sick 
Dersons, and to perform other occasional offices to which I have been 
invited, without subjecting me to the necessity of asking permission so 
to do, from the Wardens, Vestry and Proprietors. 

I need not, I trust, assure you. Right Rev. Sir, that I am desirous to 
submit to the recommendation of the Bishop and his Presbyters, as 
soon as it shall be ascertained what that recommendation is. This I 
presume will be the case as soon as you shall receive the Records of 
the Council from the Secretary. 

I am, Right Rev. Sir, your obedient servant for Christ's sake, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

To the Rt. Rev. Bishop. Griswold. 



Boston, Aug. 22, 1825. 

Gentlemen, 

I ENCLOSE to you a copy of a letter which I have this day sent 
to the Bishop together with a duplicate copy of the communications to 
which it refers. You will see from these that some misunderstanding 
exists respecting the conditions of separation awarded by the Coun- 
cil, which must necessarily delay the relinquishment of my title to the 



83 



Rectorship of St. Paul's Church. I scarcely need assure you that 1 
very much regret the existence of any circumstance which can require 
a delay of this nature. 
I am, Gentlemen, vour obedient servant, 

Samuel F. .Tarvis. 
Rector of St. Paul's Church, Boston. 
To the Wardens and Vestry of St. PauPs Church. 



Boston, 23<i August 1825. 

Rev. Sir, 

At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's Church, held last even- 
ing, to take measures, in obedience to the vote of the Proprietors, ot 
the 10th June last, to complete the separation between the Rector, 
and the W ardens, Vestrv and Proprietors of St. Paul's Church, m con- 
formity to the decision and advice of the Bishop of the Diocese as made 
known to them by his communication of the 17th inst. the necessary 
points of which' were transmitted to you by us on the 20th mht. the 
following votes were passed: — viz. 

Voted, That the Treasurer be directed to prepare and execute a 
note or notes or obligation in favour of the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, for twenty 
five hundred dollars,' pavable in one year, and for tv/enty five hundred 
dollars payable in two' years from 17th August 1825, conformacly to 
the above clecision. 

Voted, That in fulfilment of the conditions of the decision before- 
mentioned, the Wardens be directed lO transmit the note or notes or 
obligation of the Treasurer as aforesaid to the Rev. Dr. Jarvis; and to 
accompany said notes or obligation with such communication as they 
may deem proper. 

Voted, That the Wardens be authorized to receive from the Rev. 
Dr. Jarvis, such property of the Church or Parish as may be in his pos- 
session; and that the Senior Warden be authorized to receive the 
keys. 

Voted, That whereas the Rev. Dr. Jarvis has given notice for Divine 
Service on W^ednesday next, that the W'ardens and Vestry consent 
that he may perform the service on that day. 

Voted, That the Wardens be directed to make suitable arrange- 
ments for supplying the pulpit until further order. ^ 

In obedience to, and under authority of these votes, we have appoint- 
ed Messrs. Z. G. Whitman and James C. Dunn, our agents to tender 
to you the note or obligation of the Treasurer, Elbridge Gerry, Esq. 

The Wardens are ready to receive the property of the Church or 
Parish, from yourself, or any persons you may appoint. The Senior 
Warden is ready to receive the keys. We deem it proper to say, that 
both these acts ought to be done to day. 

The Wardens will take measures to supply the pulpit on Sunday 
next. W^e are, Rev. Sir, respectfullv your obedient servants. 

Francis Wilby, l iir.,^,i„..^ 
James C. Merrill,^ ^ 

7b Rev. Dr. Jarvis. 



Boston, August 23d, 1825. 

Rev. Sir, 

This morning we received your communication, dated yester- 
day, stating your objections to the advice and determination of the 
Bishop and Presbyters, relating to a dissolution of all sacerdotal con- 
nection between you and the Wardens, Vestry and Proprietors of St. 



84 



Paul's. W e shall lay that communication before the Vestry at their 
next meeting, which will be on Friday next, to which time the meeting 
of last evening stands adjourned. Respectfully your obedient servants, 

Francis 'Wilby, "> 7,,,„^j^^„ 
James C. Merill, k ^'^^rdens. 



Boston, Aug. 23, 1825. 

Gentlemen, 

I HAVE received your two letters of this date, and presume by 
their tenour, that the shorter was written last; to this alone I beg leave 
to reply as it relates to proceedings to take place on Friday next, in 
consequence of my commuiiication under date of yesterday. This 
will, I presume, preclude cur immediately acting upon the points ad- 
verted to in the other. 

To prevent all mistakes, and in the hopes of softening excited feel- 
ings, I beg you to understand, gentlemen, that whether the decree of 
the Bishop be binding or not upon me in strict legal right, is a 
question which I do not mean to agitate. My only wish is to reconcile 
the advice of the Bishop with that of his Council; and my reasons for be- 
lieving them to be at variance are, tliat the only two gentlemen of the 
Council with whom I have conversed, do certainly view some questions 
of importance as they regard my interest, very differently from the 
Bishop, while he confesses that he has written to me without being 
in possession of those documents which he desired to have. 

I presume that you will be disposed to act upon the concurrent advice 
of the Bishop and Coundl, with the same readiness that will influence 
me. Our waiting a few days to ascertain it with precision cannot be 
injurious to either party. \Mien it is known and understood, all final 
arrangements will be easy and simple. 

Until our affairs are brought to a final settlement, the Wardens 
and Vestry Avill be pleased to accept my consent to their supplying my 
pulpit in such a manner as they may deem most to their satisfaction. 
If they w isii me to officiate, I shall now expect to be notified, but I 
wish to have it understood that as long as I am Rector, I shall continue 
readv and willing to perform the ducies of the Church. 

I am Gentlemen, your obedient servant, 

Samuel F. Jarvis, 
Rector of St, Paul's Church, 

To tlie Wardens of St. Paul's Church. 



Boston, Aug. 25, 1825. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

Having received a letter from the Bishop in which he states 
that he had not received the official report of the proceedings of the 
Council; and the result wdiich he has thus informally communicated ap- 
pearing to be at variance with the recollections of the Rev, Messrs. Ea- 
ton and Blake, I have to request that you will send me a copy of your 
letter to the Bishop, and also a copy of the Record of proceedings. 
Will you have the goodness to inform m.e whether these records are 
merely your own understanding of the proceedings, or whether they 
w-ere read by you to the Council, and-a \ ote taken approving of them? 
I shall be much obliged to you for an early answer, as there unhappily 
appears to be a variance of sentiment in some important particulars 
between the Bishop and the two clergy whom alone I have had an 
opportunity to consult. As the Bishop was not present on the last day 
of the Council, and may therefore have unavoidably fallen into a mis- 



85 



take in the absence of the Records, there seems to be a sufficient rea- 
son for delaying my resignation till the mismiderstanding be removed, 
I. am Rev. and dear Sir, very truly yours, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

To the Rev, Mr. £dson.* 



Boston, Jug-. 2Tt/i, 1825. 

Rev. Sir, 

A Quorum of the Vestry not being present yesterday, an adjourned 
meeting was held this morning, at which the following vote was pass- 
ed: ^'The letters of the Rev, Dr. Jarvis of the 22nd and 23d inst. were 
laid before the Vestry, whereupon 

_ Voted, That the Wardens inform the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, in answer to 
his communications of the 22d and 23d inst. that the Wardens and 
Vestry of St. Paul's Church consider the advice and decision of the 
Right Rev, Bishop as conclusive and binding on both parties; and the 
Wardens and Vestry have taken every step in their power to comply 
therewith; also, to" inform the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, that they have taken 
measures to procure a gentleman to perform services in the Church for 
the future." I have the honour to communicate to you the above, and 
subscribe myself respectfully your obedient servant, 

James C. Merrill, 
JRev. Dr. Jarvis. Junior Warden of St. Pa uVs Church. 



Boston, August 29th, 1825. 

Sir, 

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of 
August 27th, conveying to me a copy of the vote passed that day by the 
Vestry of St. Paul's Church. I greatly regret that my letters of the 
22d and 23d, should not have been received by the V estry in the same 
conciliatory spirit with v/hich they v/ere written. I therein distinctly 
expressed a disposition to submit to the recommendation of the Bishop 
and his Presbyters, according to the 32d Canon, as soon as it is ascer- 
tained what that recommendation is; and I also expressed my confi- 
dence that the Vestry would be equally disposed to submit on their part 
to the same recommendation. I cannot suppose therefore that the 
Bishop and his Presbyters vv^ill condemn my conduct in thus delaying 
the relinquishment of my title; and I do not lay aside my hopes that 
the Vestry will be disposed to reconsiderthe vote you have now commu- 
nicated, and conduct our affairs to a final settlement, in a spirit of mode- 
ration at least, if not of harmony. 

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 

Samuel F. Jarvis, 
Rector of St. PauFs Church.. 
To James C. Merrill, Esq. Junior Warden of St. PauVs Church. 



* To this letter I received Jio written answer, but Mr. Edson being soon aftec in Boston called 
and answei'ed it verbally. He informed me that he had not kept a copy of his letter to the 
Bishop, but that it contained a statement of what had passed after t!ie Bishop left the Clerg-y; 
that lie couid not give me a copy of the R.ecord , aa the Bishop h,:d told him that the Records 
should be condensed, and must be read to the Clergy at t!ie Diocesan Convention in September, 
before they conld be communicated to the partie;3; that the Records were not read, nor any vote 
taken upon them. After I found he declined communicating- tlie Records, I aiked him, "if the 
Bishop's letter was an accurate statement of their vote.— He replied, that it was in substance. 
I then read the Bishop's letter, and asked, Did the Council vote, that on and after the 22d of 
August the pastoral connection should cease and be dissol ved? Did the Council vote, that one 
halt of the 5000 dollars should be paid in one year, and the other half in two years? He then 
answered both the questions decidedly in the negative; but added that he did not pretend 
to determine v,'liether the Bishop was bound by their vote, or whether he might not so far alter 
the terms, as to say when payment should be made. 



86 



Extract of a letter from Dudley A. Tyjig, Esq. dated Xe^xburypor:. 
29th August, 1825. 

-^^^ ^BEFORE^the°receipt of vours of the 25th. Mr.^Iorss had told me 
that he knevr nothing of the sum awarded being made payable dy in- 
stalment^, but concluded that such an arrangement might have been 
made bv the Council ^vhich he left still in session. He remembers 
nothing said on the subject, and therefore had come away witti tne 
impression that the amount was to be paid or secured when the ^epai ca- 
tion should take place. He seems not to remember at all whe.nei u 
was exclusive of the salary since Easter, but he will write you by ttii^^ 
mail. 



Xe-wbu^-yport, Aug. ^Qth, 1825 > 

Rev. axd Dear Sir, „ „ . v i 

I am verv sori-v, that it should be necessary to cail tor inciividoaL 
recollections as to any part of the doings of the late Council, and more 
e-^Deciallv as to its final decision. The Records of the Secretary mu-t be 
the only 'authentic document; and if these are lame, our doings must so 
far be nugatory.— I supposed, on leaving the Council, which 1 did 
at the adiournir.ent on Saturday before dinner, that the remaining 
members would, on the evening of that day, take measures to have the 
Records completed and a fair copy of the whole proceedings sent to 
the Bishop for his approbation and signature; and I very pinch re^et 
that this in ray opinion the only regular course, was not adopted.— Aly 
recollection hSwever, is very distinct, that there was nothing deciQed, 
before I left the Council, as to the time or manner of adjusting the 
final awBrd;— the Council merely agreed on the sumi of $oOOO, with- 
out specifying any terms whatever, as to the mode m which it should 
be liquidated: tliis being left wholly to the parcies themselves. Ihis 
omi<=sion seems now to be somewhat material; but I hope for the hon- 
our of religion and the Church, that it will not be the means ot tnis- 
trating the doings of the Council, or become a subject of further con- 
trover'^v between the Rector and the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church. 
I know' not bv what authority, the Bishop has fixed on two years for 
the payment; 'it must I think be his own act, and therefore not binding 
on the' panies. Mv impression ever has been, that as soon as the 
result, after having' received the Bishop's signature, was made 
to the'parnes thev weald take measures to carry it into ima:c:.:?.:^ 
execution. I'suT^pcsed there would be no delay, unless one or b-:^ 
were so di-^satisned, as to appeal to the civil authority, wnich I vei ; 
much deprecated.— 1 am sorn- that the Bishop has undertaken to varv 
the result in the least degree; and ray recollection is quite clear ana 
distinct that the sum of $oO'X', was intended to cover all arrearages, 
damages and claims for salarv past, and present: it being thought be.: 
to fix on a round sum, to save time and to prevent the peiplexities a:;.. 
dispute>; that might arise from going into minute calculations, t^ach 
individual fixed "on such a sum as he thought competent, and these 
s-veral sums were added together and the aggregate divided by 
the number of the clergy present, which gave as tiie result aoout 
«A500' on which it was agreed unanimously that $3^00. should oe 
the final amount. When about to cast the ballot, the quesi'r.n ^ 



ion wa: 



asked by someone, whether any particular provision should be made 
for the h\dv\- of the present vear, on which it was, as 1 understood, 
unanimously "agreed, that each individual should cast m such an ap-iount 
as in his opinion would cover all damages and just demands: and then 
the number which sliould result from the process before mentioned 



87 



should be the full amount of all claims for damages and constitute the 
final award of Council. 

Had there been suiScient time left us on Saturday, the Council would 
no doubt have specified the terras of payment and recommended some 
particular time for the dissolution of the pastoral relation; but this 
was impossible, unless vie had adjourned to the next week. This 
would have been a great inconvenience, but great as it was, we should 
have done it, could we have anticipated anv serious misunderstanding, 
which _ should impede the carrying into effect, the decision of the 
Council. _ I hope however that 'the Proprietors will not throw anv 
obstacle in the way, to a final and speedy adjustment of the terms of 
separation; nor can I imagine that vou can have anv objections to such 
a course. 

With_sincere desires for your wtlfare and happiness, and future use- 
hilness in the ministry, I remain, dear Sir, your's. 

J. rvIoRSS. 



^ -Bristol, .his'usf 29th. IS25. 

Rev. axd Dear Sir, 

lour letter of the 22d. would have been answered immediately, 
had it not been that I was incei-santly engaged, the most cf the time 
from home, with other more urgent duties. From it I learn vour rea- 
sons for not complying with what I had stated to you as the 'advice of 
the Council, and that this non-compliance is not 'througlr vour fault, 
but mine. I would not object to being the scape-goat in' this verv un- 
happy business, if it would restore peace to the Church: but as this is 
not likely to be the effect, it is necessarv that I should sav something 
m _self-defence. That I am li_able to 'err, I have long known from 
painful experience. In this business, hov;ever, m.v intention certainly 
has been, according to the wisdom given me, to act with uprightnes's 
and impartiality, through evil report, and good report, trusting the 
event with God. And after the most careful perusa] of vour letter 
I am still persuaded that I have done so. You are pleased indeed to 
represent my communication to you, as an arbitrary decree, not author- 
ized by our Church: I represented, and still consider it as the advice 
of the Council. In communicating it, I used few words, because I had 
veiy little time, before the mail v/as closed: and precision of expres- 
sion, to prevent any misunderstanding: and I am now the more convinc- 
ed that I judged vv lsely. 

You complain that the time mentioned for the separation was too 
soon. It was necessary that sorne dav should be named. A number 
of weeks had then ela'psed, since the Council had declared to the par- 
ties their advice that there should be a dissolution; and I certainly 
supposed, and had been informed, that all concerned were impa- 
tient of the long suspense, and I thought that thev would vash the day 
named to be soon, the earlier the better. But I had so.Tieching more 
than my own judgment for a guide. The Secretary had Avritten'^to me 
the particulars ot what was done after I left tiie 'Council; vet before 
declaring the result to the parties^ I wrote to cur brother 'Blake, re- 
questing him to inform me of what he knew; and he verv promptly 
and obligingly replied; and amono: other things stated It as hi's 
imderstanding of the intentions of the^council "that as sooyi as the con- 
ditions are declared officially, and acquiesced in, and complied with, 
his (that is your) services will terminate; unless it be to deliver a fare- 
well sermon at some time to be agreed uf-io-a bu the pariies" I took 
the liberty to add that you might perform otner official acts, which 
wrong it is hoped you will forgive me. Zlv. Blake could not certainly 



88 



nie^ 1 0^ 1 ^ ' ^'^ 5^ ' 1 - mie^ht take advantage 

ot in-. L ^ ^ 111 It t'le P.'oprietors 

letu- ^ 1, . '^'C ,ct the time. Haa 

Ikio n . . I J.^ et contiaueafew 

,,ee\^ ^ i ^ to 'oa I might have 

been t o ^ 'i iv coall have been 

to,c t . t .X a 1.^, rJ,thecoii- 

tmua'.ce . . ) . , M^ air^. P ci a time tor tae 

paiaest- r . ^ And v. hy mav not 

(a- tic ^CL 10 1 1- . lea- p lb l tm e t he > 1.15, be sach a time 
Ti \ c\ib^ t L t'M ^cui .Lliicn(t tL-C.e- \ ai e deficient m regard 
Toi ^ oa, ci a 1 uui . -bk v . ^ . m Jmfe to you contu^ 

?nir.,^ca m.^.^k- b 11 li^^h icJ did tli^ii chaac^^r._ What 
veil '-av of a lon-er time that \ ou iiiav administer the comuiunion, Kc. 
hit/ic-^ G-. --'--^ 7^.7^ 'r, v;cu:d be a reason for postponing, not thirty 

daVS Gldv, uUC a .ii(HlsHUU, , r r t ■ 

It ^^-a^■ vprv much rnx ^i.^h that nothing should be left^for my decis- 
ion The 'hne nh^n the mouev should be paid, the Couiicil either 
decided; or tlitv left it for mv decision. If tnev aid decide it, m^y not 
being informed "is an oversight Avhich I much regret. But if (whic.i 1 
beUeve to be the lact^ thev left it for me to decide, thai decision 
is given; and after mature deliberation I am confirmed m the beuei, 
that it is the best avhich I could have given. I viewed the $oOOO, as 
intended to be tn'o ve^v's salarv, which, according to what is mostcus- 
tomarv, vTuld become due, as I stated. As it is, I fear we shall, Dy 
many be thought forgetful of the Saviour- s advice, ?ict to put neiv vjme 
into "old b o^rles. Ind eed I was somewhat surprised tSiat vou who so well 
know the circumstances of that parish; the very generous and noble 
exertions which the Proprietors have made to build an Episcopal 
Church, that does honour to the name; the pecuniary sacrifices which 
they have made to support the gospel ministrations, and the heavy 
burthen, which, if thev continue it an Episcopal Church, must rest 
upon them, should wish them to be obhged immediately to pay _ so 
laree a sum. I cannot think it pmdent, nor consistent with Christian 
charitv. to drive such a people to desperation. And I have certaimv 
done too in this as I would be dealt with. If in such circumstances I 
were to take snv thing (which I should not except it were freely of- 
fer ed^ I should desire them to have a reasonable time for payment. 
\\q ou'--h^ also to ree-ard the honour of the Clerical Order. An im- 
pression I find is alreadv gone extensivelv abroad, that these great 
troubles have arizen chieflv from what an apostle calls '-the root ot all 
evil;" it is desirable that nothing may be added to strengthen the 
impression, , 

You write, and before the Council you repeatedly spake, ot die o^^nd 
Canon as being severelv /ze/za/. I cannot view it m the same light; it 
merelv expresses what our well known discipline requires. Had no 
iDenaltvbeen annexed to the Canon, still your not complying_ with the 
advice", or direction, or if vou please the decree of "your Bishop and 
other chief ministers, wdio", according to the Canons of the Church 
have the charge and government over vou, following with a glad mind 
and will, their godlv admonitions, and submitting yourself to their 
godlv judgments/' vou would violate vour ordination vow, and become 
fiable to be suspended from the exercise of the ministry. Let us take 
heed too, lest it mav be said that we who talk so much oi Church 
govemment, and apostolic order, are in practice, the last to submit 

^°I am not expecting the Records of the Council from the Secretary. 
For a time I misunderstood him respecting a communication irom 



89 



Brothers Blake and Boyle, which caused some delay. A part of 
those Records, except I again mistake, are in your hands. 
Most sincerely vour friend and brother, 

Alexander V. Griswolt. 

Rev. Dr. Jai'vis. 



Greenfield, Aug. 31, 1825. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

I RECEIVED your letter of the 25th inst. yesterday, on my return 
from Northampton; and it was with no little surprise that I read the 
copy, which it contains, of the Bishop's communication to you. I had, 
indeed, previously seen, in one of the Boston newspapers, a similar 
statement; but as it was so far from an agreement with the decision of 
the Council, I considered it, at once, as the mistaken notice of some 
officious person who knew^ nothing of the business. 

I distinctly recollect, that, near the close of the session of the Coun- 
cil, and afte'r the sum had been determined, some member inquired, 
when the fiastoral relation of Dr. Janns to St. PauPs Church should 
cease; and it was replied, (I think by me,) "of course, when the con- 
ditions of separation are complied with." And although there was no 
formal vote upon the subject, I am confident that such, at the time, 
was the intention of every member of the Council. I have^no recollec- 
tion that any gentleman even suggested the necessity or propriety of 
granting any time for the payment of the amount agreed upon, after 
the decision should be sanctioned and communicated by the Bishop. 
I did, however, understand that the $5,000 was to be in full discharge 
of every claim which you might have upon the parish up to the time, 
and not as Mr. Eaton supposes, that it was to be exclusive of arrears of 
salary. 

In regard to your relinquishment of the Rectorship, you are the best 
judge of the expediency of it under existing circumstances. I do not 
see how there can be any contumacy in a delay which shall not in any 
respect be contrary to the actual result of the "Council. 

I was extremely sorry that the business of the Council was closed 
in so much haste. Two gentlemen had been appointed to make a 
formal report of the decision, which it was expected would be so ex- 
pressed as to embrace every point, and to preclude all possibility of 
tuture diffiGuky and misunderstanding. I thought it improper for "the 
-Council to adjourn until this Report, in full, was submitted to their 
examination, and when we separated, leaving the business at rather 
loose ends, both as it respected the Report and the directions to the 
Secretary, I was apprehensive that some mistake or misapprehension 
might occur I presume, nevertheless, that all the gentlemen, con- 
sidered the business as entirely settled so far as they were concerned, 
and that such communications would be immediately made to the 
Bishop as would bring the whole matter to a speedy and harmonious- 
issue. 

No communication has been made to me from the Vestry of St. 
Paul's. I am ready to answer any interrogatories which they may 
think proper to put, and should any thing of the kind take place, will 
send you a copy. In the mean time, I have the honour to be, most 
respectfully yoiir friend and brother in the Lord, 

T. Strong. 

Hev. Dr. Jarvis. 



Boston, Saturday, Sept. 3, 1825. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

I AIM very desirous to see you, and if you find it convenient to 
come into town on ]SIondav, will beg the favour of vou to let me 

12 



90 

see you early, as I have several communications to submit to you. 
If you are not able to come, I shall be glad to receive an answer to the 
following queries: — 

1. Was there any act of the Council deciding and advising that on 
and after the 22d of August 1825, the pastoral and sacerdotal relation 
between me and the Wardens, Vestry and Proprietors of St. Paul s 
Church, cease and be dissolved; and does the Canon in your opinion 
give authority to do more than recommend a relinquishment of his 
title to the Rectorship, on certain conditions to be complied with on the 
other side, of which compliance he is to be assured before his resig- 
nation!* 

2. Was there any act of the Council postponing the payment ot the 
^5,000 awarded by them, so that one half should be paid within one 
year, and one half within two years from August 17, 1825. If ti^ere 
was not, is it in your opinion consistent with the Canon that the 
Bishop should make such conditions of payment, without the advice 
and consent of his Presbyters? 

3. Was it the intention of the Council to award the $5,000 for losses 
sustained before Easter 1825, and the probable losses to be sustained by 
a relinquishment of the living, exclusive of salary from the last settle- 
ment at Easter 1825, up to the time of separation: Or was it their 
intention that the ^5,000 awarded, should include the salary due since 
Easter last? 

It may be proper to mention that Mr. Eaton considers the salary up 
to the time of separation as not included in the ^5,000. Mr. Blake and 
Mr. Baurv understood that the quarter salary due the first ot July last 
had been paid. Mr. Morss and Mr. Strong* have not said whether 
they understood that any part of this year's salary had been paid, but 
think that $5,000 were intended to cover all demands upon the 
Wardens, Vestry and Proprietors. Your answer to these inquiries 
will much oblige, Rev. and Dear Sir, your friend and brother, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

Rev. Isaac Boyle. 

Boston, Sept. 5, 1825. 

Right Rev. Sir, , ^ „ . 

I havp: received your letter of the 29th ult. and cannot refrain 
from exrjressing the severe pain which I have felt from your unfavour- 
able construction of my conduct. It is not my wish to protract this un- 
happy controversy one moment longer than may be necessary to execute 
the conditions as agreed upon by the Bishop and his Presbyters, and 1 
conceive that no delay on my part could have caused an augmentation 
of -^alarv as you appear to intimate, since that with other questions must 
have been decided by the Council. That your decision is at variance 
with the opinion of two of its members 1 have already shown; and 1 now 
take the liberty of subjoining the following extracts from the letters ot 
two other members of it; premising that i have by me written state- 
ments from a majority of the body to establish the fact, that they dis- 
airree with your report of their decision. 

"I received your letter of the 25th inst. yesterday; and it was with 
no lltrle surprise that 1 read the copy, wiiich it contains, of the Bishop's 
communication to you. I had, indeed, previously seen, m one ot the 
Boston newspapers, a similar statement; but as it was so far from an 
agreement with the decision ot the Council, I considered it, at once, as 



* Mr. Strong aftei wanis stattd to Mr. Baury.as I am informeil, that he understood the quar- 
ter salary due July 3t.V,hau beui paid. 



91 



the mistaken notice of some officious person who knew nothing of the 
business." 

"I know not by what authority the Bishop has fixed on two years 
for the payment; — it must, I think, be his own act, and therefore not 
binding on the parties," 

By a careful perusai of these paragraphs, you will easily perceive 
in wliAt respect their sentiments differ from yours. I only ask for a 
confirmation of the vote of tiiat Reverend Body. I am ready and de- 
sirous to follow their advice; and as anxious to "put a period to this un- 
happy controversy as any of the parties who have the misfortune to be 
implicated in it. 

I have the honour to be, Right Rev. Sir, your obedient servant, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

The Right Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold, D. D. 
Biahofi of the Eastern Diocese. 



Dedham, Sept. 5, 1825. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

I RECEIVED your communication on Saturday evening, and as 1 
shall not be able conveniently to be in Boston before Thursday next, 
proceed to notice your queries. 

With respect to the first, I arn not aware that the Council did more 
than to declare the existence of the conditions on which the o2d 
Canon requires the Bishop and his Presbyters to recommend a relin- 
quishment of the Rectorship, on such terms as may appear reasonable 
and proper to them, leaving the recommendation to be issued after- 
wards as a matter of course. The recommendation being conditional, 
it would seem to follov>' that the terms must be complied with before it 
can have any force. 

With respect to the second query, I did not understand that the 
Council decided any thing respecting the }ieriod or periods at which 
the ^5,000 should be paid. 1 should suppose from the words of the 
Canon, that the Bishop and his Presbyters must unite in fixing the 
time of payment as well as the sum to be given. 

With regard to the third question, I do not know whether or not it 
was the intention of the Council collectively to include the salary due 
from Easter last, to the time of separation, in their award of $o,000. 
The mode adopted of determining the amount, precluded the discus- 
sion of particulars. I was myself acquainted with the fact that a quar- 
ter's salary was due, and in my own vote had respect to it. If other 
members voted a less sum than they would have done had they not 
thought that the arrearages were paid, it appears equitable that the 
errour should be rectified. 

When I see you on Thursday morning, 1 may be able to satisfy you 
more fully on the subject of your letter, and in the mean time remain, 
Rev. and Dear Sir, your friend and brother, 

„ ^ , . Isaac Boyle, 

Rev. Dr. Jarvis. 



^"6X01071, Mass. Sept. 5, 1825. 

- Rev. and Dear Sir, 

As you have requested me to give you in writing, my under- 
standing of the terms on which the sum awarded bv the Convocation, 
was to be paid you by the Proprietors of St. Paul's' Church; and also 
the time when the connection of the Rector with said Church should 
be dissolved; I would observe, that nothing was said in the Convoca- 
tion to my knowledge upon either of these points* It was however my 



92 



inmression, that you had received your salary as usual to about the 
time the Convocation was assembled; that the sum of $5,000 was to be 
paid you in a reasonable time; and that upon the Rector and J^roprie- 
tors assenting to the recommendation of the Bishop and his tTesDyiers, 
the existintr connection would be considered as at an end. 

I am, Rev. and Dear Sir, with considerations of high respect, youi 
friend and brother, Alfred L. Baury. 

Rev. Dr-. Jarvis, 



Hanover, Sept. Hth, 1825, 

Rev. and Dear Sir, , , i 

Your letter of the 29th of August was duly received, and i 
should have wrote you sooner, had 1 not been prevented by a severe 
indisposition, occasioned by a fall from a horse. As respects the 
subject of your letter. I can only say, that I believe the Council of 
Presbyters, after a patient, and thorough investigation of your claims 
to remunemtion, which were faithfully urged by Mr. Huntington, 
(among which was your right to salary from Easter,) were unanimous 
in the determination of their advice to the Bishop; which waMhat 
upon the relinauishment of your Rectorship, you should receive the 
rimid sum of $5,000, as a compensation for each and all ^^^f ^^^^^^^^ 
upon the Proprietors, Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul s. ,1 his advice 
has been laid before the Bishop, and in making up the decision, 1 pre- 
sume he has given it all that weight and importance, which he consci- 
entiouslv thought it was entitled? The duty of the Presbyters is sim^ 
Dlv to advise the Bishop— not to dictate. 1 hey haye given him their 
advice; and thus their duty, as it regards the case in question is at an 
end. There appears to me no ground for misapprehension or misun- 
derstanding. I deeply lament that the Bishop was called away before 
the investigation closed, as it would have prevented all this_delay; but 
T hope it will soon be settled satisfactory to all parties. 1 have not 
heard, or seen any thing from the Wardens and Vestry, nor from any 
one concerned, until I received your letter. 

Yours respectfully, Calvin Wolcott. 

The Rev. Dr. Jarvis. 

Bristol, Sept. ^th, 1825. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, . , . , i 

Your favour of the 5th is now before me, m which you complain 
of mv unfavourable construction of your conduct. I certainly intended 
no such thing. I understood yeu in that letter as ascribing it to my 
fault that you did not comply with the advice of the Council; as blam- 
ing me indeed for several things. I endeavoured to defend my own 
conduct without censuring yours. In regard to t^\^^^Y\^ve Xadv 
tween us, I can now do little more than repeat vvhat 1 have already 
written. You tell me that you ask only for a confirmation of the x;ofe^ 
of the Council; but I know not of any "vote of that Reverend body 
which remains to be coiifirmed. If there be such a vote, why do you 
not pursue a regular course; procure a certified copy ^o"}.™ ^JlJ^^" 
tarv? Ko one would be more ready than myself to give it all due atten- 
tion. You tell me that a majority of the Council disagree with me re- 
specting the report of their decision. It may be so; I -t^ould exceed- 
iA^ly regret to differ in judgment from Brethren, whom, without ex- 
c^pt^ionf 1 highly respect, ^t seems, however, a strange proceeding 
that they should make such declarations to you. who are one of the 
parties, Ld yet intimate nothing of it to me! IVV"""""^- ^'^^J.fi h.ve 
thatin giving their judgment singly, no two of the Council would have 



93 



agreed as to the sum to be paid, or the time of payment, bome might 
have put the time later than I did; and some earUer. The question be- 
tween us is, whether or not they left the time of payment to my decision. 
If thev did, and all that you have written goes to confirm my full be- 
lief that they did so leave it; then it was for me to decide according to 
the wisdom given me; and not according to their opinions or wishes, of 
which I was necessanly ignorant. When, (for illustration,) our Con- 
vention submit it to their President to nominate their Committees, 
though his nomination be such as a majority disapprove, still the ap- 
pointment is true and regular. If in this present case, it shall appear 
to a majority of our brethren, that my decision is not wisely made; that 
I have departed from christian charity, and have not done what would 
be most to the honour of God, and good of the Church; then of course, 
hereafter they will have less confidence in my judgment, and will not 
again leave such a point to my decision. I know that I am very liable 
to err; but still it is my duty to act. 'Tis painful to lose friends; to suf- 
fer in reputation, and' to be blamed for my conduct, especially by my 
clerical brethren, who, ever since my appointment to the Episcopate, 
have seemed to me as my children; but this pain must sometimes be 
endured. It is natural for me to regret, and I do regret, that any thing 
was left to my decision; but it may be tliat the hand of God was m it; 
that he called me from the Council to save that Church; because he 
will not forsake a people who have done so much for his honour, as the 
Proprietors of St.* Paul's have done. I verily believe that you have 
not had among the Clergy a more sincere friend than myself; one who 
in any private'concern, would have gone further, or sacrificed more to 
do you a favour. But where religion, and the honour of our Divine 
Master are concerned, my endeavour, and I hope in some degree, my 
practice has been to make friendship and interest, and reputation but 
of secondary consideration. If in this business I have done wrong may 
God forgive me. If it be his will that I suffer for righteousness' sake, 
his v,'iirbe done. You seem displeased at my mtimadiig that in this 
business you are influenced by pecuniary considerations. I meant no 
more than to suggest that your conduct would have that appearance; 
that your character might suffer, and that our Church of course would 
deeply suffer with it. And we ought, you know, to avoid the appear- 
ance of evil. There are none of our faults of which we of the Clergy 
are more suspected, and none for which we are more despised than for 
"the love of money." It is so grossly irreconcilable with what we pro- 
fess, and with what we preach to the people, of our willingness to spend* 
and be spent; of our seeking not theirs but them, that if they discover,^ 
or think that they discover it in our conduct, we become the objects of 
their indignation or contempt. You ought not to be offended at my free- 
dom in telling you that so tar as I have knowledge of what the fact is, 
the course vou are pursuing is not generally approved; and that you are 
in danger of losing what is of more value than 5,000 or 50,000 dollars. 
The eyes of many, and some I fear not friendly, are upon us. We are 
now showing, in a wide circle, what regard our Clergy have for "filthy 
lucre;" and what is that discipline of v/hich we so much boast. 
I remain, very sincerely, your friend, 

Alexander V. Griswold. 



Boston, Sept, 14, 1825. 

Dear Sir, 

I TAKE the liberty of again addressing you respecting the un- 
happy state of affairs in St. Paul's Church.^" 



* T!ie preceding letter from the Bishop was not received till the 14th; after I bad wiitten 
this. 



94 



The communications I have received from a majority of the Presby- 
ters who were assembled by the Bishop in Convocation evidently show 
that their proceedings were not definitive, and that their private 
recollections and opinions differ widely from the Bishop's determina- 
tion. 

One member states it as his impression "that the sum of $5,000 was 
to be paid in a reasonable time," and upon being asked what he con- 
sidered a reasonable time, he named thirty days. Another states that 
''the recommendation to relinquish the Rectorship, being conditional, it 
would seem to follow that the terms must be complied with before it 
can have any force; that the Council according to his understanding, 
decided nothing respecting the period or ]Deriods at which the $5,000 
should be paid; but that from the words of the Canon, the Bishop and 
his Presbyters must unite in fixing the time of payment as well as the 
sum to be given." Upon being asked whether the award of $5,000 
without any specification of time, did not, in common usage, imply 
prompt payment, he replied that he so understood it. A third speaks 
in still more decided terms: "The Records of the Secretary must be 
the only authentic document; and if these are lame, our doings must so 
far be nugatory.— I supposed, on leaving the Council, which I did 
at the adjournment on Saturday before dinner, that the remaining 
members would, on the evening of that day, take measures to have the 
Records completed and a fair copy of the whole proceedings sent to 
the Bishop for his approbation and signature; and I very much regret 
that this, in my opinion the only regular course, was not adopted.— -My 
recollection however, is very distinct, that there was nothing decided, 
before I left the Council, as to the time or manner of adjusting the 
final award;— the Council merely agreed on the sum of $5000, with- 
out specifying any terms whatever, as to the mode in which it should 
be liquidated: this being left v/holly to the parties themselves. This 
omission seems now to be somewhat material; but I hope for the hon- 
our of religion and the Church, that it will not be the means of frus- 
trating the doings of the Council, or become a subject of further con- 
troversy between the Rector and the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church. 
I know not by what authority, the Bishop has fixed on two years for 
the payment; it must I think be his own act, and therefore not binding 
on the parties. My impression ever has been, that as soon as the 
result, after having' received the Bishop's signature, was made known 
to the parties, they would take measures to carry it into immediate 
* execution. 1 supposed there would be no delay, unless one or both 
were so dissatisfied, as to appeal to the civil authority, which I very 
much deprecated. — 1 am sorry that the Bishop has undertaken to vary 
the result in the least degree." "I distinctly recollect," says a fourth, 
"that, near the close of the session of the Council, and after the sum 
had been determined, some member inquired, when the pastoral rela- 
tion of Dr. Jarvis to St. Faul's Church should cease; and it was re- 
plied, (I think by me,) 'of course, when the conditions of separation 
are complied with.' And although there was no formal vote upon the 
subject, I am confident that such, at the time, was the intention of 
every member of the Council. I have no recollection that any gentle- 
man even suggested the necessity or propriety of granting any time for 
the payment of the amount agreed upon, after the decision should be 
sanctioned and communicated by the Bishop." "In regard to your re- 
linquishment of the Rectorship, yoy are the best judge of the expedi- 
ency of it under existing circumstances. I do not see how there can 
be any contumacy in a delay which shall not in any respect be contra- 
ry to the actual result of the Council." "1 was extremely sorry 
that the business of the Council was closed in so much haste. Two 
gentlemen had been appointed to make a formal report of the de- 



I 



96 



cision, which it was expected would-be se expressed as to embrace 
every point, and to preclude all possibility of future difficulty and 
misunderstanding. I thought it improper for the Council to adjourn 
until this Report, in full, was submitted to their examination, and 
when we separated, leaving the business at rather loose ends, both 
as it respected the Report and the directions to the Secretary, I 
was apprehensive that some mistake or misapprehension might 
occur. I presume, nevertheless, that all the gentlemen considered 
the business as entirely settled so far as they were concerned, and 
that such communications would be immediately made to the Bishop 
as would bring the whole matter to a speedy and harmonious issue." 

These communications in addition to the two you have already seen, 
exhibit the opinions of a majority of the Presbyters. The question 
then is, what is the result of the Convocation? Is it possible for me to 
act till the business, confessedly "left at loose ends," shall be definitive- 
ly settled, and the Bishop and Presbyters shall have drawn up and sub- 
scribed "a formal Report of the decision." If this had been done, 
even if the terms had been as hard as I think those prescribed by the 
Bishop to be, I should have submitted to them at once, without a mur- 
mur. And even now, so desirous am I to put an end to this unhappy 
dissension, — so solicitous to allay the irritated feelings of the Proprie- 
tors, — so anxious to avoid any appearance of being influenced by 
Avorldly or unhallowed motives, that I venture again to implore my 
friends and the friends of the Church to interpose their mediation. 

A letter recently received from the Bishop, explains, I think, more 
fully his views with regard to the alteration of the time of payment. 
An extract from that letter I herewith submit; and if it shall appear 
to you and Mr. Richards that it affords any opening for an accommoda- 
tion with the Proprietors, I desire you will make use of it. Mr. 
Huntington who was before associated with you not being in town, I 
beg leave to mention in his stead the Rev. Mr. Eaton. I am perfectly 
ready to place my cause in your hands, and I hereby give you full 
powers to act in my name, provided you can bring this unhappy dissen- 
sion to such an issue as will not oblige me to remain for two years 
engaged in money transactions with the Wardens, Vestry and' Pro- 
prietors. Have the goodness then, Dear Sir, to confer with Mr. 
Richards and Mr. Eaton, and if any thing which will make for peace 
can be done, it will confer a new favour upon your greatly obliged 
friend and servant, Samuel F. Jarvis. 

George Brinley, Esq. 

Extract from the Bishofi's letter of Aug. 29th. See fi. 88. 

"Had I known or believed that you had a particular desire to con- 
tinue a few weeks longer as Rector of the parish, from respect to you I 
might have been in favour of it; but I can see no benefit, which it could 
have been to you, except one which I will not suppose that you regard, 
the continuance of your salary a little longer. I viewed the $5000, as 
intended to be two year's salary, which, according to what is most 
customary, would become due, as I stated.'' 



Boston, Sept, 14, 1825. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

In a letter which I have just received from the Bishop, he speaks 
of my procuring a certified copy of the vote of the Council from the 
Seicretary, as the regular course, and seems to be surprised that 1 have 
not done it. This will, I hope, remove your scruple upon the subject 
and induce you to oblige me by an early answer. I shall be much 



96 



s-ratified if yen will permit me to see the whole of the Records, whidi 
I hope I need not add, shall be kept with the greatest care and r etui n- 
ed Whenever you desire it. I am very anxious to bnng th s anh.ppy 
subject to its final issue; and "the Reco,xls of the becre ary u^e the 
language of one of the Ciergv who has favoured me with his statement, 
*'must be the only authentic document." u.r^thf^v 
Believe me to be, with great regard, your friend and trotlvei, 

bAMUEL r. JARVIS. 

The Rev. Theodore Edaoru 



Boston, Sept. U, 1825, 

'''''''\?^R Ivoir of the 9th inst. which I have just recen^ed has 
afforded me much consolation, because its tenor induces me to hope 
that the painful subject of our present correspondence may soon be 
terminated. I some time ago applied to Mr. ildson for a copy of the 
record of proceedings; but finding him reluctant to give it, vinde the 
TxSing stL of things without your consent, I forbore, from mo ves of 
delicacy, to urge the request. My own opinion, however, on his sub- 
ject was corroborated by the remark of one of the Clergy, that the 
WoTds of the Secretary must be the only authentic 4^^^ h '^l 
have gladly availed myself, therefore, of the permission ^^^^^^^^^^^l 
ferms of your last letter, and have accordingly written to the be ere 
ZT When I receive his answer, I shall be able to speak with more 
TTrecision upon the principal subject of your communication. 1 w 1 
?infine mys^eif at present to a fe4 remarks upon the supposed injury 
to my character and to the Church, from the course I have taken. _ 

That my Bishop should be sensitive on this subject may well arise 
from his paternal character, and as such it demands my grateful a^^^ 
kn^ledgments. Every man who pursues a firm and ""deviating 
cZ se of conduct will have enemies, and I cannot expect to be exempt 
from a contingent which has ever been levied upon the b^st and great- 
est as well as upon the more faulty and insignificant ot mankind. 
My adversaries are I know very active in calumniating, my motives, 
and w^^iile the ..ublick are ignorant, I must bear with patient suflFermg 
the effects of (heir infiuenle. But when the pecuniary sacrifices 
which I have made, and the facts which have been laid before he 
BishoT) and his Presbyters shall be publickly known, I have no fear that 
fhSor w^^^^^^^^ lam^most solicitous, will attribute to me 

an overweening fondness for money. In the ir^ean time, my friends at 
least will exrrcise the judgment of that charity which thmketh no evil, 
by attr bm^^^ conduct to the best, rather than the worst motives 
by which may^^e solved. They will consider the delay of my resig- 
nation as Droceeding from a desire to avoid the very evils which my 
B^hop so^ istly dep^recates. They will perceive that the protract^n 
S payment for two years, and the obvious advantage given to my 
adv erlaries by dissolving my sacerdotal relation to them before the 
have Sven the least security tor complying with the conditions on 
^heir parf wiU be likely to involve the \v-hole subject in almost mex- 



^'Bfatui^dltig^^ Rev. Sir, th.at I have no disposition to oppose you 
infhe Canonicarexercise of your authority. I believe you w^ 
the justice to acknowledge that not one of your P^^^sbyte s haS been 
.^ori desirous to uphoM that authority m reverent e^tim.mon for 1 
consider that and our Liturgy as the ^ e^'y bulwarks of ou Chui^^^^ 
win not suppose for a moment that yru desire to stretch that authorit) 
To as to imffie the rights of your Presbyters. On the contrary 1 canno 
but believe that when you have fully examined all the reasons which I 



« 



97 



have to offer, you will recede from a position \yhich \vill oblige me to 
remain for two years engaged in money transactions witli the \\ ardeiis, 
Vestry and Proprietors^ St. Paul's Church, and must keep alive in 
their breasts that irritation, which, for the honour of reliy;ion and the 
good of the Chu'-ch, it is expedient as quickly as possible to allay. 

To show you how sohcitous I have been to avoid giving you or my 
Brethren any further trouble, I take the liberty to state, that previous 
to the reception of your last letter I had empowered my friends Mr. 
Brinley, Mr. Richards and Mr. Eaton to mediate between me and the 
Proprietors. For this purpose I had given them an extract from your 
letter of August 29th which appears to explain your intention as to the 
time of payment to be as follows: That ilie regular payment of my 
salary should continue till the 22d of August; and that from the date 
of your letter, prescribing the terms of separation, two years* salary 
should be paid according to the usual custom of payment, which in 
Boston is quarterly. I have limited my friends to no terrns, excepting 
that whatever is paid shall be paid at the time of separation, either in 
cash or by equivalent negotiable notes. It will gratify me to know 
that this course meets with your approbation; and in the hope that 
you will see in it a pledge of my willingness to sacrifice private con- 
siderations, to the peace and welfare of the Church, 

I remain most respectfully and truly. Right Rev. Sir, your obedient 
servant, ' Samuel F. Jarvis. 



E. Chelmsford, Sept, 18, 1825. 

Kev. and Dear Sir, 

I VERY much regret being obliged to delay a compliance with your 
request, that I would send you the Records, of the Council, The Re- 
cords though prepared, I do not feel quite at liberty to furnish to either 
of the parties without some directions either from the Bishop or from 
the Council. I will write to the Bishop immediately on the subject, 
and shall be ready to put them into your hands the moment I am au- 
thorized to put them out of my own. 

I remain, Dear Sir, Your friend and Brother, 

T. Edson. 

T/ie Rev. S. F. Jarvis, D. D. 



Botton, Sept. i20, J 825. 

Dear Sir, 

I MUST have expressed myself without sufficient clearness to 
induce you to suppose that I made a request not sanctioned by the 
Bishop. — To prevent any further misapprehension, I give you his own 
words.— -I had said to him in my letter of the 5th of September, that 
I asked only for a confirmation of the vote of the Presbyters. In re- 
ply to this, he says, "Why do you not pursue the regular course — 
procure a certified copy from the Secretary?" Can any thing be more 
explicit than this? I hope my dear Sir, that you will not delay to send 
me such a certified copy, till you hear from the Bishop. — I am very 
anxious to have this unhappy business brought to a close; and 1 can- 
not believe that you will throw any obstacle in its way — 1 wish I could 
have a personal interview with you, I certainly am not disposed to 
ask any thing which I have not a right to ask; but it seems to me al- 
together unprecedented that I should not be permitted to have access 
to the Records of the Convocation- Hoping for an answer by return 
of mail, 

I remain. Dear Sir, very ti-uly your friend and brother, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

Rev. Mr. Edson* 

13 



98 



Bristol, Sept. 19M, 1825. 

IvKv. AKD Dear Sir, 

Being exceedingly crov^cled with business, and preparing for a 
lon%- journey, I can write but little of what I wish to write in answer to 
vours of the 14th. In reg-ard to the Records of the proceedings of the 
Council I suppose they have none which they intend to make public, 
but what have already'been communicated to you by myself. There 
%vas but little necessary to be recorded, and that little, as well known to 
the parties, as to the' Council. What the Secretary has written I 
know not; and before he gives a copy of it to any one, it ought to be 
examined and approved by the Council, which I suppose has not yet 
been done. The intention which you intimate of coming before the 
public with a defence of your conduct, is, in my judgment, imprudent. 
It will be likely to occasion an angry and pernicious controversy. 1 
pretendnot to predict how far you may succeed in justifying yourseltj 
or exposing the faults of others; but you will be sure to succeed m in- 
juring the Church. . 

The fact you mention that your connection with the Parish was 
dissolved "before they had given the least security for complying with 
the conditions on their Dart" places the subject in a new light. It was 
expected that they woild, on or before the day ot the dissolution, on 
their part eive or oiFer vou good security. Their neglect, however, to 
do this cannot, as I conceive, subject you to any, even the least incon- 
venience. If they are unwilling to perform their part, no advantage 
can be taken of it to injure you. , -r- • i 

With regard to my disposition to stretch, or not the Jbpiscopal 
authority to others' injury, I will only remark, that from childhood 
there have been few things that I have more detested, than abuse ot 
power; and that, in the present case, I see no authority that I have, 
but to declare the advice of the Council, and to proceed in the straight 
course vniich the Church has directed; and this indeed is not power, 
but duty, if I deviate from it, 'tis hoped that my brethren who are 
wiser will set me right. And if any thing wrong has been done through 
my fault or ignorance, I see no reason why it may not (among chris- 
tians) be rectified without injury to any one. 

I very much approve of your commissioning your friends to propose, 
and if practicable to eflect a compromise or agreement with the Pro- 
r>rietors. Should it happily succeed, it would indeed release me, and 
i believe many of our brethren, from much anxiety and trouble. 1 
trust you will iind me unyielding in nothing but truth; and that in every 
thing'which other duties will admit, 

I am your sincere friend, 

Alexander \. Griswold. 



East Chelmsford, Sept. 23, IS25. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, 

Yours of the 2Cth inst. arrived yesterday and m reply 1 as- 
sure you, that it is the farthest possible, from my thoughts, to throw any 
obstacle in the way of closing the unhappy business. I cannot believe 
there will be any objection to your having a copy of the Records as 
soon as I can be authorized to give a copy. I wrote to the Bishop, on 
the reception of your former letter. His answer may be now on the 
v^av, and I feel that my responsibility to the Council as Secretary, re- 
quires me to wait for his sanction, when it can be so quickly obtained. 
Hext week you know is the Diocesan Convention when I intend 
being in Boston, and hope to have the pleasure of an interview with 

"l remc HT dear Sir, very respectfully your friend and brother. 

T. Ed SON. 

The Rev. 6". F. Jaruis, D. D, 



99 



„ Boston, Sept. 23, 1S25. 

Kev. aptd Dear Sir, 

_ I DULY received your favour of tlie 13th inst. informing me of your 
having associated with me, the Rev. Asa Eaton and John Richards. E^q. 
to act tor, and in your behalf, to endeavour to effect an accom,rnodauon, 
and settlement of your affairs with the Proprietors of St Paul's Church, 
if we should think such a measure would' '-aiTDrfi anv opening for an 
accommodation." \\'e have deliberated uponihe bubjcci and aecline 
actmg, being under the impression tnat our efforts Vy ould be unavail- 
ing. 

Mr. Richards' having been absent some time on a journey, is the 
cause of the delav in replying to vour favour at an earlier date. V\'ith 
the sincerest hope that vour unhappy difficulties vvith St. Paul's Church 
may soon be settled, and to mutual satisfaction, 

I am dear Sir, very sincerely your friend and obedient Servant, 
„ ^ (per order) George Brinley. 

■tiev. Dr. Jai-vis. 



^ „ Boston, Sept. 23, 1825. 

Dear Sir, 

I addressed a letter to Mr. Brinley on the 13th inst. requesting 
him to confer with yourself, and the Rev. 'Mr. Eaton, and if possible to 
interpose your mediation in order to terminate the unhappy difticulties 
now existing between me and the Proprietors of St. Paul's Church. 
By a letter this day received from him I regret to learn, that vou con- 
sider any further efforts, by a personal interview with the Wardens and 
Vestry, as unavailing. It has occurred to me, however, that there may 
be one mode yet remaining, by which so desirable an event m.av be ac- 
comphshed; and that is by an interview with the Bishop. \Mll you 
then permit me to make one more earnest request, that Vou and Mr. 
Brmley will call upon Dr. Griswoid as soon as he shall arrive in town? 
Perhaps your representations may induce him to adopt such measures 
as will at once remove every difficulty. On a subject of so much im- 
portance to the peace of the Church, vou will 1 am sure excuse me, if 
1 appear somewhat importunate. 

Believe me to be. Dear Sir, most resDectfuUv and truly, your oblig- 
ed friend and servant, ' ' ' ' 

J r T^ . r , ^ Samuel F. Jarvis. 

10 John Richards, Esq. 

On the 26th of September, the Bishop called upon me a little 
after lU A M. and mentioned that he had appointed that evening 
to meet Mr. Richards and Mr. Brinley at the house of the latter. 
In the course of conversation I observed to him, that unless mat- 
ters could be so arranged that I might resign Lefore Wednesday, 
I should be placed in an awkward and unhappy situation; that I 
did not wish to do any thing offensive to him' or to the Proprie- 
tors; but I did not see howl could avoid appearing on that day as 
Rector. I therefore asked his advice. He said he had called a 
meeting of the Clergy on Tuesday evening, before which he 
could give no opinion. I said, that" will be so late that no time 
will remain to make the requisite arrangements for my resigna- 
tion, and therefore that I should still be obliged to appear as Rec- 
tor. He replied, -'It is not settled, at least m.ust consider it so, 
that you are still the Rector of St. PauPs Church." i said, do vou 



100 



,0 cousKler the 32,1 Canon, as that no act of mine is A^f y f °- 
d^m nec"<arv to divest me of the Rectorship? He waived he in- 
tu V Sr-Ving th,u he end not decide -J thing but shouldjro- 
nose the oueAion for the consideration of the Clergy. 1 "id, i 
^^."ver; an.,cu. to have the -'^ject adjusted before Wednes ay 
and for thi.t purpose think no lime should be lost. 1 theretore 
"reposed if consUent with the Bishop's engagement^ th-a he 
Should meet Mr. R. and Mr. B., as early as possible To this he 
tented and said he would call on Mr. Bnn ley at ^'s store. If 
was found impracticable, however, to have the meeting earlier 
than was at proposed. The result will appear from the follow- 
ing letter: 

Boston, Sept. 27, 1825. 
""^^ i^X^.!^'--^^^ your request of the 23d, we have had a 
^'^"x^Tha^" 

meet upon, ^vhereby the advice and d-^jf^?" ^1^;^^;',^^^^^ 
of the fcshop and his ^^^'f ^^^i^^^lJ^' ^^^f^ 

them, now in your hands it ^ .^^^^^ th^ Council when the 
thought that, considermghe was absent fro^^^^^ 
decision wasagreed to; tha he hadn^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^i^. 
wrote his letter ot the 1^^^> ^nat the ^^jouty ot tn ^ 

ered the P^Y^^^f ^^y^r.^.f^'J'time fo? cSg yom' salary had been 
simultaneous acts: and that the "me loi ^ reasons for him to 

entirely overlooked: that these ^'^^^^^ ^^^'^J^^^^^^^^^^ come to 
have met those Presbyters who are "0^^^,^^^^V^„"^^ ^f sentiment, 
some decision upon which f-^l^^g'^^^^'^^ H^'Itates that he was in 
But we have not succeeded as we expected^^ n^^^^^^ 
possession of the Records when he 'llf^^^l^llf^^^^ he wished 

documents therein alluded to bemg other the time 

to have the Records condensed as J^^j/^.^^^.P^^^sf^n; that he was 
when the $5000 -as to be paid, was left to^^^^^^^ 

surprised anv members ^^.^ -^^^v aS^^ received from 

without writing also to ^^^^; ,^^at , ^^^^f^f ^^^^^ immediate; 
Mr. Blake, he ^^s authorised to make t^^^ 

even sooner than he had done. But ^^^^l^^^^^'^^^^^^ -whether the 

the question, with ^1^^/°™! be b ndiJig and Whether the dues for 
^V^^ S^td ^vere desirous, he had no 



George Brinley. 
£<,iton, Sept. Mth, ises. 



Rev. and Dear Sir, . ,1,,, t have ascertained to my 

I write this briefly to 1"*°™.^°" 'J^?,' f jg^^hich by some were 
full satisfaction, the 1™'^ respect ng t,,o p^^^^^^ 

questioned; viz: That *"""^.,"'Jf''°ij;Xle pecuniary claims on 
rnvestigation was .mended to u^e your whm p ^^^^ 

^^^oSeTdri^'mtc— ^^^^^ 

"S. Very sincerely your ^^end, Griswolb. 



loi 



Boston, September mh, IS25. 

Right Reverend Sir, , " , i r 

I HAVE received vour communication dated this day,irom whicii 
I infer that the Presbyters of Massachusetts, having again assem- 
bled have declared your promulgation of their decision to be correct. 
Seven out of the ten had declared to me in wntmg that their under- 
standine of the terms of separation at the time in which they awarded 
them was materially different from the terms as stated by you. 
Whether they yield to you, or you to them, is to me a matter oi no 
moment. The united advice of the Bishop and Presbyters will always 
be listened to by me with dutiful submission; and during the course ot 
cur correspondence, 1 have repeatedly and exphcitly avowed such to 
be my intention. I have accordingly put into the hands of my friends 
George Brinley and John Richards, Esquires, the instrument ot my 
resignation, to be delivered to the Wardens, Vestry and Proprietors, 
upon their complying with the terms on their part. . 

I have but one favour to ask; which is, that you will appoint, as m 
the case of Dr. Ogden, certain impartial or indifferent persons Jo audit 
and adjust ail accounts of property, between me and St. Paul's Church. 

I am. Right Reverend Sir, very respectfully, your obedient serv^ant, 

Samuel F. Jarvis. 

The Right Reverend Bishop Griswold. 

Boston, Sept. ^^th, [29?^,] 1825. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, i ^ ^ 

I AM so incessantly engaged to day that I can scarcely tmd time 
to answer vour favour of yesterday. What you mention ot my ap- 
pointing persons to audit the accounts is new to me. VV ^at was 
done in the case of Dr. Ogden I am wholly ignorant. Any thing m my 
power to serve you, or to make peace I shall wish to ao. On the other 
hand I have been so much and so cruelly censured for wn at 1 have 
done in this unhappy business, mv intention is to take no one step be- 
yond what appears to be my dutv. I should not presume otticially to 
make any appointment of auditors, ^or do I know who are most im- 
partial respecting the business. So far as I am acquainted, j\iessrs 
Gardiner Greene, Thomas L. Winthrop and Thomas Clarke are ot 
that description. If thev will give you any aid it will give me pleasure; 
but I beg that my mentioning their names may not be misconstrued, as 
intermeddling with what is not my business. 
Most sincerely, your friend and humble servant, 

Alexander \ . Griswold. 

Rev. Br. Jar~cis. 



According to the declaration in my last letter to the Bishop, 
on the 28th of September I placed in the hands ot Mr. Brinley 
and Mr. Richards, the following letter, to the Wardens and Ves- 
trymen of St. Paul's Church. 

Boston, September 28, 1825. 

Gentlemen, , ^ . , 

In conformity with the declaration conveyed to you m my letter 
of August 23d, that I should be ready to act upon the concurrent advice 
of the Bishop and his Presbyters, whenever it should be ascertained 
with precision, I have now the honour to inform you, that 1 x.ave this 
day received a letter from the Bishop, after a conierence with the Pres- 
byters composing the late Convocation, from which I am led to inter 
that they have assented to his promulgation of their decision ana ad- 



102 



vice, as _ contained in his letter of August 17th, 1825. In obedience to 
that decision, and on the conditions therein prescribed, I now communi- 
cate to you my relinquishment of my title to the Rectorship of St. 
Paul's Church. ^ 

With my best wishes for your individual welfare, and for the pros- 
perity of that Church over which I was for nearlv five years the hsp- 
py Rector, I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant," 

7 rr. 1 r Sabiuel F. Jarvis- 

To the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Paul's Church, Boston. 

P.S, I have requested the Bishop to appoint certain impartial per- 
sons to audit and adjust all accounts of property between me and St. 
Paul's Church. As this course may spare both parties some unneces- 
sary pam, I trust it will meet with your approbation. S. F. J. 

This letter together with the keys of the Church, my friends were 
empowered to deliver up as soon as they should receive satisfac- 
torv security for a compliance on the part of the Proprietors with 
the terms of the recommendation. The following letter from 
those gentlemen, will give a view of their negociations with the 
Wardens and Vestry, to the 7th of October, when the terms on 
both sides were finally complied with. 



„ ^ Boslon, lOih JYov. 1825, 

Rev. and dear Sir, 

In reply to your note received last evening, to ascertain the cause 
ot our not closmg the late transaction sooner, and obtaining money for 
the paper given to you by the Wardens and Vestry of St. PauPs before 
the 7th ult. we have to assure you that no time was lost on our part. But 
the pressure in the money market being verv heavy, and the paner 
not being drawm to order, or what is technically called negotiable; and 
as of course you would have been unwilling to guarantee its pavment 
by puttmg your name upon it; we were necessarily straitened in 
cur movements, and thought ourselves very fortunate in meeting with 
an mdividual disposed to invest his funds in it, at the usual interest of 
SIX per cent. Vv'e were also indebted to Mr. Wilby for giving us infor- 
mation of the disposition of this individual; at the' time we thought it 
a very favourable and fortunate negotiation. 

We remain, respectfully, Dear Sir, yours, 
T John Richards, 

Rev. Br. Jarvis. George Brinley. 

On this letter it is unnecessary for me to make anv remark 
excepting that I left these negotiations entirely to the 'discretion 
of my friends. I expressed to them no other wish than one; which 
was that I might be shielded from the possibility of any future 
collision with the Proprietors. This, as far as"! was personally 
concerned, was my great objection to the Bishop's alteration of the 
terms of payment. The paper offered me by the Vestry not be- 
ing negotiable, 1 should have been compelled to continue for two 
■years in a course of money transaotions with them, if my friends 
had not at once closed the business. How painful this would have 
been, and bow fruitful a source it might have proved, of un- 
christian feelings and actions, I leave it for my readers to de- 
termine. 



103 



Imraediately after the 28tb oC September, the Secretary of the 
Convocation called upon me to say that he was authorized by the 
Bishop and Clergy to give me a copy of the Records. He had 
it not with him, and though the reason assigned in the first in- 
stance for delay, was that the Bishop and Clerg-y mig-ht have an 
opportunity at the Diocesan Convention, to hear and examine the 
Records before they should be given to the parties, yet they were 
not so read or examined at that time. As 1 found that new diffi- 
culties were raised about the terms of payment, and knew not 
what might be the consequences, I determined to compare with 
my own eyes the copy of the Records to be furnished me with 
the rough minutes made at the time. For this purpose I went in 
company with a friend to visit the Secretary, on the 3d of Octo- 
ber. I'he document purporting to be the proceedings of the 
Convocation was obtained; but I found that it was somewhat al- 
tered from the minutes taken at the time; that the testimony was 
abridged; and in some instances that important omissions had been 
made. In the testimony, for instance, of one of the Vestry, who 
was asked to name the other grounds of dissatisfaction, beside the 
letter to the Senior Warden, the substance of his answer, men- 
tioning the length of the service and the wish to go to the post- 
office, was inserted in the minutes taken at the time, but omitted 
in the copy. Some of the gross expressions of the Senioi- War- 
den, taken down at the time, which would at least serve to show 
the unhappy violence with which I have been assailed, were also 
left out. I do not mean to impute to the Secretary any wronp* 
intention, but these omissions and condensations make an important 
change in the testimony. The proceedings of the 29th and 30th 
of July, in which the copy and the rough minutes agreed, and 
which are all that are essential on the question, what was the 
decision of the Presbyters, are here inserted. 

5^. Paul's Church, Friday July 29, 1825. 4 o*clock, P. M 
The Council met. Present the Rt. Rev. Bishop, the Rev. Messrs 
Morss, Eaton, Wolcott, Strongs Boyle, Baury, Blake, Edson. 
Mr. Sullivan made a few remarks in reply to Mr. Huntington. 
The Rev. Dr. Gardiner came in. 
The parties retired. 

-Rev. Mr. Eaton proposed an adjournment of the Council to next week 
or farther, that the members may have more time to deliberate on a 
subject of so much importance as that now before them. It was the 
general opinion of the members that they were as well prepared to de- 
cide now, as they could be by delay. 

After consultation, therefore, the following questions were succes- 
sively moved and decided: 

I. Whether there be a case of controversy between the Rev. Dr. 
.Tarvis, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Boston, and the Vestry or Congre- 
gation of said Church? Decided as iollows: 

Eaton, yea— Boyle, yea— Gardiner, yea— Morss, yea~Wolcott, 
yea— Baury, yea—Strong, yea— Bla^e, yea— Edson, yea— (9 yeas.) 

II. W^hether this controversy has proceeded such lengths as to pre- 
clude all hope of its favourable termination? Decided as follows: 



104 



Eaton, yea—Boylc, )si6a— Gardiner, yea— Mor^s, yea— Wolcott, 
yea— Baufy, yea— Strong, yea—Blake, yea— Edson, yea— 9 yeas. 

The Rev. Mr. Cutler came in and took his place in the Council. 

ni. Whether a dissolution of the connection which exists between 
them be indispensably necessary to restore the peace, and promote the 
prosperity of the Church? Decided as follows: 

" Eaton, vea— Boyle, yea— Gardiner, yea— Morss, yea— Wolcott, 
yea— Strong, yea— Baury, yea— Blake, yea— Cutler, yea— Edson 

^ The Bishop appointed the Rev. Mr. Boyle, and the Rev. Mr. Blake, to 
draw up a report of the decision of the Council on these questions. 

The parties were then asked in. The Bishop directed the Secretary 
to read the three questions and the decisions thereon. The Bishop 
then said, that in resi)ect to terms of separation it is the wish ot the 
Council that the parties agree between themselves. If they cannot, it 
is our advice that they leave the subject to referees chosen by Ur. Jar- 
vis and the Vestry mutually. But if the parties insist that the Council 
decide, we will not shrink from the duty, though as clergymen we teel 
a delicacy on that subject. . , ^ , 

Dr. Jarvis having been consulted* expressed a wish that the Coun- 
cil be adjourned till tomorrow. 

The Bishop then adjourned the Council to meet m this place tomor- 
row morning at 8 o'clock. 

St. Paul's Churchy Saturday. July 30th, 1 825. 8 o'clock, ^. M. 
The Council met. Present the Rt. Rev. Bishop— the Rev. Dr. Gar- 
diner—the Rev. Messrs. Eaton— Morss— Wolcott— Boyle— Strong— 
Baury— Cutler— EdsGn. . , , , , 

Both parties expressed their wishj that the terms might be settled 
by the Council without referring the subject to any other tribunal. 

The Vestry said they were willing to leave it to the Council without 
further argument. , . ..^ 

Mr. Huntington said that he, as Dr. Jarvis' Counsel, should claim the 
•whole of his rights. -u j- 

The Rt. Rev. Bishop then rose from his chair, and stated, that the dis- 
tressed state of his family from the sickness and expected death of a 
beloved daughter, made it necessary for him to return home immedi- 
ately. He recommended the Council to proceed in the business be- 
fore' them, blessed them, and retired. 

The Council voted that the Rev. Dr. Gardiner be requested to take 
the chair. . ^ , . . , . 

Mr. Huntington then went into a review of the origin and circum- 
stances of the controversv, in order to show that Dr. Jarvis was not to 
blame for it; and therefore ought not to sustain loss in consequence ot 
it. He claimed for Dr. Jarvis 

I. That his salary of $2,500 per annum be paid him up to the 
time of his leaving. Because, whatever reductions he may have assent- 
ed to, were made by him for the good of St. Paul's Church, and with 
the expectation of continuing his connection with that Church, and 
thereby of ultimately reaping the benefit of it. 

II. That a further remuneration be made to Dr. Jarvis, or annuity 
granted him, in consideration of his bein^^ thrown out of an expected 
income, and injured in his prospect of obtaining further employment. 



•This is inconect. I was not present. Probably my Counsel exp»essed the wish. 

+ 1 was not present. It was therefore by my Counsel that I expressed the wish. As tht 
Bishop and f resbyters had taken the responsibility to recommend a separatron, I was unwilhiig 
f it release them from the responsibility of fixing the terms. 



105 



III. That the expenses of his moving from New-York to Boston 
be paid him, on the ground of its being customary in like cases. 

IV. That his salary be made up to him from Easter of 1820 to the 
oOth of June of the same year; because his income at New-York was 
relinquished at Easter on account of his engagement at St, Paul's. 

Mr. Sullivan then recapitulated some circumstances to show that the 
blame of the controversy does not rest on the Vestry and Proprietors, 
and therefore the Church ought not to sustain the whole loss. He 
remarked that however rich individuals of the Proprietors might be, 
it was only their joint property as Proprietors that could be holden; 
that whatever this Council might give to Dr. Jarvis, they must take 
from the Church, which has been struggling with debt from its exist- 
ence and is now hardly released; that the money must be raised by a 
tax on the pews, and the Council would judge what must be the conse- 
quence, if m this city, where there are other Episcopal Churches, and 
worshippers are at perfect liberty to remove at pleasure, this Church 
were required to raise a double salary, by doubling its taxes, for several 
years to come. 

At a quarter before three the parties retired. 

The Council then agreed that each member write upon a ticket 
the sum which in his opinion should be paid to Dr. Jarvis, and that an 
average be made from the whole. 

This was accordingly done, when after a short consultation it wa« 
unanimously voted, 

That, in the opinion of this Council, the sum of five thou- 
sand DOLLARS should BE PAID BY THE WARDENS, VeSTRY AND 

Proprietors of St. Paul's Church Boston, to the Rev. Dr. 
Jarvis, as the terms upon which he relinquish all his 

RIGHT AND TITLE TO THE RECTORSHIP OF THAT ChURCH. 

Voted, That the secretary communicate to the Bishop this result of 
his Council as soon as practicable. 

Foted^ That this Council be adjourned to meet in this place this af- 
ternoon at half after four o'clock. 

St. PauVs Church, Saturday July SOth 4^ o'clock, P. M. 
The Council met, and no further business being oflfered, it was voted 
that this Council be now dissolved. 

(Signed) Theodore Edson. 

Secretary of the Council. 



By a comparison with the Canon, it will be seen that these 
proceedings, as far as they went, were regular in form; the ab 
sence of the Bishop, and the mode of determining the compensa- 
tion, alone excepted. And if the Bishop and Presbyters had fur- 
nished the parties with a fair copy of these proceedings, signed 
with their names, it seems scarcely possible that any delay or 
difficulty could have arisen. Certainly none would have arisen 
on my part. I should immediately have informed the Bishop of 
my submission, to the terms of the recommendation; and, the Ves- 
try having done the same, nothing would have remained but to 
settle the business between us. What necessity was there of set- 
ting any time, either for the relinquishment of title, or payment 
of the sura awarded, unless there was reason to fear, on one side or 
the other, a disposition to refuse compliance? Was not the time 
in fact implied in the veiT vote passed by the Presbyters.? Were 

14 



106 



not the relinquishment and the payment to take place at the same, 
time; and thai, as soon as the parties could arrange the business, 
without any deiay on either side ? Every man acquainted with 
mercaniiie law, and with the usual forms of businejis, will, I pre- 
sunie, admit this. 

B;]t the Bishop, by altering the terms, threw the whole subject 
into confusion. As the vote of the Presbyters stood, my rig-hls 
were respected. If the Vestry on their part did not comply, I 
was still the Rector of the Church, and no proceedings under the 
32.! Canon could injure me. But by the Bishop's decree 1 was 
stripped of my Rectorship, before i could receive any security 
from the Vestry, and in fact before they had time to give official 
information to the Bishop himself that they were willing to abide 
by the decision of the Convocation. 

When the Bishop therefore had voluntarily left the Presbyters 
to act without him, any deviation from their plain and simple 
proceedings, was an assumption of Authority not inherent in his 
officr-. nor given to him by the Canons, it therefore introduced a 
precedent most dangerous to the Church. He evidently supposed 
that a Bishop has power to dissolve the connection between a 
Clergyman in good standing, and his parish, without any act on 
the part of that Clergyman. This was implied in his letters, and 
distinctly affirmed in the conversation of September 26, when he 
said, "It is not settled that you are still the Rector of St. PauPs 
Church.*" He evidently supposed too, that by his sole authority 
he could protract the time of payment, one and two years. Why 
might he not on the same principle have postponed it, for ten or 
twenty years? In this way what Clergymen would be safe? If a 
few influential persons in his parish, determine to remove him 
from his station, they have only to make a quarrel, affirm that 
there is an irreconcileable controversy, and call upon the Bishop 
under the 32d Canon, to dissolve the connection. The Bishop in 
compliance with the language of the Canon, assembles his Pres- 
byters; but instead of being an authoritative Convocation, they 
are only his advisers, and he may, or may not, take their advice. 
No charf^es affecting the character of the Clergyman bemg 
brouo-ht or sustained, it becomes necessary by the Canon to award 
dama^o-es. But the Bishop can postpone the payment till the m~ 
tere«t" has swallowed up the principal; and the Clergyman and 
his family may be at once deprived of support, and reduced to 
poverty. Such power no Bishop in England possesses; and will 
it be pretended that it can exist in this country? 

The 32d Canon provides a mode of arbitration between parties 
where a solemn contract is to be dissolved, and the suffering par- 
ty is to receive the poor compensation of money for damages 
sustained. The Bishop and his Clergy act as a jury, who are to 
decide questions of fact, and appoint the terms of dissolution. 
What would be said, in cases of ordinary occurrence, it the tore- 



* See p. 59, at the bottom. 



107 



man of a Jory vicre to leave them to make up the award with- 
out him, i\ud afterwards, on his sole authority, were to alter the 
verdict? 

I was aware from the first, that the course I have taken might 
Gspose me to many personal evils. Those who have been so 
active in calumniating my n)otives, would derive from it fresh 
occasion for reproach and evil report. The iriends of" the Church 
too, might easily be led to consider any opposition to the will of 
the Bishop, however right in itself, as injurious to that high es- 
timation in which we must always wish the Episcopal office to be 
held. The knowledge of this, rendered it very painful to me to 
take any step which might appear to cast a censure upon the 
judgment of my Bishop. Yet painful as it was, I felt it to be a 
duty which I owed to the Church. The proceedings in my 
case were to form a precedent lor the Eastern Diocese. Few 
Clergymen are placed in circumstances so independent as mine. 
Few therefore would have it in their power to act w^ith equal 
freedom. Under these circumstances it seenicd to me to be 
clearly my duty to oppose a barrier to such irregularities. If I 
have erred it is an error of judgment. If I have failed in Canon- 
ical obedience, I shall be ready upon conviction, to acknowledge 
my fault and implore forgiveness. But the questions involved 
in these proceedings, demand the serious atteDlicn of the whole 
Church: and if the result shall he, a greater .security for mv 
Brethren, or a more exact definition of relative rights and du- 
ties, 1 shall yield with increased resignation to the a&iictions I 
am called upon to suffer. The ways of the Almighty are 
inscrutable; but the}' are ways of wisdom, and goodness and mer- 
cy. He makes even the wrath of man to })raise him, and the 
remainder of wrath he will restrain. 

SAMUEL F. JARVIS. 

Boston^ November ll/A, 1825. 

Since the foregoing pages were sent to the press, I have been 
informed that a story has been widely circulated, of my having 
denied the use of the Communion plate to the Coriiraunicants of 
St. Paul's Church. Never was there a more unfounded calumnv. 
The first Sunday in August I administered the Communion as 
usual. By a reference to the letter of the Vv'ardens of Au^-ust 
23d, and my answer of the same date, it will be seen, that^iie 
Vestry had voted to dispense with my services, and that in conse- 
quence I required to be notified, so long as i should continue Rec- 
tor, if at any time those services should be needed. The first 
Sunday in September passed without any a[>plication being made 
to me. On the 28th of September, the'day svhen the Dfocesan 
Convention assembled in St. Paul's Church^ I sent the foilonisig 
note to the Bishop with the Communion plate: 



108 



Boston, Sept. 28, 1825. 

Right Rev. Sir, 

Continued indisposition rendering it advisable forme not to go 
out to day, 1 have directed the Sexton to take the Communion plate 
to the Church, and he will obey any orders that you may please to 
give him. 

I am, Right Rev. Sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, 

Samuel F, Jarvis. 

To the Right Reveretid BUhofi Griswold, at St. Paul's Church. 



Od that day, and on the 29th, at the ordination of Mr. Blais- 
dale and Dr. Ducachet the Bishop administered the Communion. 
On Friday the 30th, the plate was brought back to me, but noth- 
ing was said of its being wanted the following Sunday. 

I had promised the Rev. Mr. Blake to assist him on Sunday 
the 2d of October, at St. Matthew's Church South Boston, 
which is a mile and a half from my house. At half past nine, 
therefore, I left home, locking my study as usual, in which the 
Communion plate was kept. A few minutes beiore 10 o'clock, 
when I had nearly crossed the bridge, the Sexton of St. Paul's 
Church overtook me, saying that the plate was wanted lor the 
Communion. The application was wholly unexpected, and it 
placed me in a very painful situation; but I had no alternative, 
for it was impossible for me at that late hour to return. If the 
plate had been wanted, it would at least have been decorous to 
have given me timely notice. But why was the plate left in my 
possession? If I had been permitted to resign my Rectorship be- 
tween the 28th of September, and the first of October, the plate 
would of course have been delivered to the Wardens. Why 
then was there any delay? My friends have expressly declared 
that the delay was not on their side. The Wardens there- 
fore have no reason to blame any one but themselves, if, on the 
first Sunday in October, there was any disappointment respecting 
the Communion. On the Friday following, my resignation took 
place, and the Sacramental plate was delivered to the Wardens 
in time for Communion on the following Sunday. 

When the mind is heated by angry passions, it is easy to mis- 
conceive and to misrepresent the motives and the conduct of 
tho«e aa-ainst whom it is excited. And when once a slander is 
littered! it spreads, and increase?, and fills the hearts ot men with 
preiudices, which the tardier movements of truth can with difti- 
culty conquer. In the lively and forcible language of Fisher 
Ames, ^'Falsehood will travel from i\Iaine to Georgia, while 
-~ ■ • i£r on her boots." fe- F. J. 



END, 




/ 



' I 




